Germany’s Greens want extra taxes on luxury flights

Germany’s Green Party wants the country to join an international effort to make private jet flights and first and business class travel more expensive to offset the ecological harm caused.

“With private jets, the super-rich are damaging the climate and, with their luxury lifestyle, are particularly responsible for the destruction of our planet,” said a motion passed at a party conference in Hanover on Saturday.

“The 50 richest billionaires emit on average more CO2 in just 90 minutes – via private jets and yachts – than the average person does in their entire lifetime,” it added.

The Greens are therefore campaigning to join an initiative by several countries that are pushing for an extra tax on luxury air travel.

The so-called Premium Flyers Solidarity Coalition currently comprises eight countries, including France, Spain, Kenya and Barbados.

Following France’s example, this would mean a levy of €420 ($486) for each passenger on a private jet within Europe and up to €2,100 for international flights, according to the Greens’ calculations.

The party also wants to close “tax loopholes in kerosene tax” and require private jets to use a particularly high proportion of climate-friendly fuels.

Germany’s ruling coalition led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz – which does not include the Greens – recently decided to reduce the ticket tax on air travel as of July 1, 2026 – in a move that drew sharp criticism from climate activists.

Flying is by far the most climate-damaging way to travel. Just 1% of the world’s population is responsible for more than half of the greenhouse gas emissions from commercial aviation, according to the Premium Flyers Solidarity Coalition.

At the same time, premium air travel has increased significantly, with emissions from private aviation rising by 46% between 2019 and 2023.