In 2012 Ryanair made an estimated €8 million windfall from overcharging its passengers for the costs of the EU emissions trading scheme (ETS), reveals Sandbag Climate Campaign in a new report on aviation’s controversial first year in the EU carbon market.
In 2012 Ryanair made an estimated €8 million windfall from overcharging its passengers for the costs of the EU emissions trading scheme (ETS), reveals Sandbag Climate Campaign in a new report on aviation’s controversial first year in the EU carbon market.
Ryanair originally estimated including its flights in the ETS would cost €15-20 million in 2012. [1] Consequently, the low-cost carrier imposed a €0.25 charge on all tickets to cover their costs. Yet average 2012 carbon prices would suggest compliance costs were lower (at just €8.5 million), implying a cost to passengers of only €0.13 per flight, [2] with Ryanair pocketing the difference.
Air travel is the most climate-damaging form of transport. If aviation were a country, it would be the 7th largest emitter [3] in the world, based on CO2 alone. And aviation emissions are set to triple by 2050. [4]