Climate activists protest private jets at Geneva Airport
Air traffic at Geneva Airport was suspended on Tuesday morning after climate activists protested near the runway at Europe’s biggest private jet fair. Several people attached themselves to private jets on display.
This content was published on
3 minutes
Keystone-SDA/RTS/sb
Русский
ru
Радикальные активисты парализовали аэропорт Женевы
Dozens of climate activists carried out the protest action at Geneva Airport, where private jets are on display as part of the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE), Europe’s biggest private jet fair.
Air traffic was suspended for one hour from 11.40am for security reasons, the Keystone-SDA news agency reported.
Over 100 activists from Greenpeace, Stay Grounded Network, Extinction Rebellion, Scientist Rebellion and other climate organisations took part in the action, calling for a ban on private jets, Greenpeace International said on Twitter.
The number of private and business jets has more than doubled globally over the past 20 years.
In 2022 a total of 35,269 private jet flights – approximately 100 per day – were recorded in Switzerland, according to a Greenpeace-commissioned surveyExternal link, cited in a reportExternal link by the Le Matin Dimanche/SonntagsZeitung newspapers. Switzerland was ranked sixth behind the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
On a per capita basis, Switzerland, with its population of 8.7 million, ranked second behind Malta with 4,054 flights per million inhabitants in 2022. Private jets fly about three times as often per capita here as in France or England – and almost six times as often as in Germany, Le Matin Dimanche/SonntagsZeitung reported.
Private flights also have significantly higher emissions per passenger kilometre than other modes of transport. The Transport and Environment NGO calculates that private jets are five to 14 times more polluting per passenger than commercial flights, and 50 times more polluting than trains. Some private jets emit two tonnes of CO2 per hour, while the carbon footprint of inhabitants of the EU27 in 2022 was equal to 6.8 tonnes of per person in 2019, according to the Eurostat agency.
While climate activists have called for a ban on private jets, the Swiss industry association for private and business aviation underlines that private flights generate tens of thousands of jobs and billions of francs in added value.
According to the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), business aviation accounts for 2% of all air transport CO2 emissions, while air transport is responsible for just over 2% of global CO2 emissions.
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
Swiss climate activists block vehicles near Gotthard tunnel
This content was published on
Around ten climate activists briefly blocked the A2 motorway near the northern entrance of the Gotthard tunnel on Thursday.
Watches belonging to Michael Schumacher up for auction
This content was published on
Schumacher's family is auctioning off eight rare watches from his collection in Geneva. The Christie's auction will take place on Monday.
Joya Marleen and Baschi named best solo acts at Swiss Music Awards
This content was published on
St. Gallen singer Joya Marleen and Baschi from Basel were named artists of the year at the Swiss Music Awards 2024 on Wednesday night.
Greenpeace blasts number of private jets heading to WEF
This content was published on
Greenpeace has criticised the “hypocrisy” of elites gathering in Davos next week for the World Economic Forum (WEF) for their use of private jets.
This content was published on
No immediate measure that inconveniences so few people can cut greenhouse gas emissions like banning private jets, argues Mario Huber.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.