Private jets pollute up to 14 times as much as commercial planes and are undertaxed in US, report says

Key Points:

• A new report by the Institute for Policy Studies reveals that private jet travel in the US has rapidly expanded, with owners—whose median wealth is $190 million—paying disproportionately low aviation taxes despite private jets being up to 14 times more polluting than commercial flights.
• The Private Jet Emissions Tracker (PJET) shows a 50% rise in climate-heating emissions from private jets, which now account for about 16% of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight operations, yet contribute less than 0.6% of taxes to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund.
• Private jet travel, used by only 0.003% of the global population, produces direct carbon emissions 10 to 14 times higher per passenger than commercial flights, exacerbating environmental concerns amid growing wealth inequality.
• The report highlights increased demand for private aviation infrastructure and significant lobbying efforts, with the National Business Aviation Association spending around $2 million in 2025 to secure tax breaks for private jet owners.
• Co-author Chuck Collins criticizes the current system for allowing the ultra-wealthy to avoid fair taxation and accountability for their environmental impact, especially as ordinary people face economic hardships.