Protests On The Prohibition Of Private Jets, Activists: Flying In Hours, Take Out One Ton Of CO2

Protests on the use of private jets. (Source: Greenpeace)

JAKARTA - About a hundred climate activists staged a demonstration demanding a ban on private jets, affected flights at Geneva Airport, Switzerland on Tuesday, and blocked entry to an aircraft exhibition at Europe's leading business jet event.

The protests took place on the runway where business jets from companies such as Airbus and Gulfstream were on display, with activists carrying boards that read "#LarangJet Pribadi" and "COMMEMORATIONS: Private jets drown our hopes."

They sat under the jets wearing bright yellow vests, blocking entry routes to prevent potential buyers from boarding the plane, as security forces rushed to disperse them from the area.

Four people were treated for injuries, including demonstrators and security officers, Geneva Airport said in a statement.

It said all flights were suspended for an hour, with delays expected to occur throughout the day.

The protests came as an industry conference near airports, marking the world's first sale of the world's largest double-engine jet as a private aircraft.

🚨#BanPrivateJets UPDATE: OVER 20 HOURS DETAINED🚨 Climate Activists remain in police custody after yesterday’s peaceful protest at #EBACE2023 Europe's largest private jet fair. We are extremely concerned about their safety and demand their immediate release. Sign and share… pic.twitter.com/Pv8yV1Q3OT

— Greenpeace International (@Greenpeace) May 24, 2023

BanPrivateJets UPDATE: over 20 HOURS DETAINED Climate Activists remain in police custody after yesterday's peaceful protest at #EBACE2023 Europe's largest private jet fair. We are extreme concerned about their safety and demand their immediately release. Sign and share... pic.twitter.com/Pv8yV1Q3OT

It was a Boeing 777-9 aircraft designed to transport around 400 passengers as commercial aircraft. Boeing did not reveal who the buyer was or the value of the deal.

Climate activists have long been concerned about high carbon emissions per person associated with private jets, as estimates show private jet usage has nearly doubled globally in the last two decades.

"In just one hour, a private jet can eject up to one ton of CO2 - double the average annual consumption of one person living in Africa," said Klara Maria Schenk, a transport campaigner for Greenpeace's environmental group.

Meanwhile, the aviation industry says it is doing everything it can to increase the use of sustainable aviation fuels, which produce less carbon emissions than conventional jet fuels and to bring innovation to make flights more efficient.

The sector recognizes that it has image problems in terms of climate impact. However, executives at the conference repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to reducing carbon.

"We need to work harder in Europe, because European agencies aren't completely sure... it's really a bit against the aviation business," Eric Tappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation on a pre-conference panel on sustainability on Monday.

"We need to collectively try to explain to them about business use and the importance of business in economic revival," he continued.

It is known, the Pelexpo hall became the venue for a conference featuring a number of environmentally friendly innovations, including an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) on Tuesday.

Three dozen cyclists, led by environmental groups, active-trafiC, stood in front of the scene carrying banners in French that read "Private flight killing."

🔴 BREAKING100 climate activists supporting @StayGroundedNet, @ExtinctionR, @ScientistRebel1 & @Greenpeace are blocking private jets at the biggest aviation sales event of Europe in Geneva, denouncing the outrageous luxury of mega-polluters. (1/6)#BanPrivateJets #EBACE2023 pic.twitter.com/BhhmSSKL64

— Scientist Rebellion (@ScientistRebel1) May 23, 2023

BREAKING100 climate activities support @StayGroundedNet, @ExtinctionR, @SecientRebel1 & @Greenpeace are blocking private jets at the largest aviation sales event of Europe in Geneva, denounce the outstanding luxury of mega-polluters. (1/6) #BanPrivateJets #EBACE2023 pic.twitter.com/BhhmSSKL64