“Private jets use 10 to 20 times more fuel per passenger than do commercial aircraft. Small jets are estimated to be up to 14 times more polluting per passenger. In 2016, they were responsible for some 33.7 million tons of carbon dioxide worldwide. That’s more than the entire nation of Denmark emitted in 2020. And on shorter flights, the disparity is much larger. According to a study based on travel between New York City and Washington, D.C., private jets spew out approximately 7,913 pounds of carbon dioxide per passenger, while a passenger on a commercial jet is responsible for some 174 pounds”. (Boston Globe, 9/29/23)
Private aviation is making a growing contribution to climate change, with many being used as ‘taxis’ for distances less than 50km, according to a study.
Stop Private Jet Expansion is an organization that has been working tirelessly to avert a planned expansion of Hanscom Field. Hanscom Field is already the largest private jetport in New England. If the current proposal to double the private jet capacity moved forward, private jets enabled by Hanscom would cancel out 70% of the greenhouse gas reductions from all the solar PV installed in Massachusetts (based on a 2.5 hour flight). This is a statewide issue. The proposed development is simultaneously destructive to the climate and to the remedies we are trying to put in place.
Find much more information at the Stop Private Jet Expansion website, including links to studies and new media on the potential harm of the project, and a petition to Governor Healey to use the full measure of her powers to stop Massport’s expansion plans for private luxury jet capacity at Hanscom Field.