Short-haul flights emit more carbon than long-haul flights

By Yesim Yuksel

ISTANBUL (AA) - Shorter flights result in higher carbon emissions per passenger compared to long-haul flights, said an international group concerned about the impact of air pollution and other environmental hazards.

“Short-haul flights are the biggest culprits of carbon emissions. Domestic and other short-haul flights are the most carbon-intensive form of travel,” Selahattin Incecik, head of the International Union of Air Pollution Prevention Associations, told Anadolu, adding that short-haul flights last 30 minutes to three hours, medium-haul 3-6 hours, and long-haul more than six hours.

Short-haul flights emit 251 grams per kilometer (.62 miles), while long-haul flights emit 195 grams per km, Incecik said, adding that the disparity is due to the high fuel consumption during takeoff and landing, making the level flight segment cleaner regardless of distance.

According to data from German firm Statista, global warming-causing carbon emissions in 2021 were estimated to total 37.1 gigatons. The energy sector contributed 14.2 gigatons to this total, while the transportation sector accounted for 7.6 gigatons.

Within transportation, passenger car journeys had the highest carbon emissions at 39%. Road freight transport contributed 23% of transportation-related emissions, followed by shipping activities at 11% and air transportation at 9%.