Aviation emissions could be reduced by up to 50 per cent without limiting passenger travel if airlines eliminated premium seating, filled flights closer to capacity, and used more efficient aircraft, reports the UK's Guardian.

Researchers analyzed more than 27 million flights in 2023 and found that operational efficiency varied widely. Airports in the US and Australia produced more polluting flights, while those in India, Brazil, and Southeast Asia were less polluting. Atlanta and New York were among the least efficient, nearly 50 per cent worse than Abu Dhabi and Madrid.

The study, published in Communications Earth & Environment, indicated that the average seat occupancy was 80 per cent. Professor Stefan Gossling of Linnaeus University argued that all-economy planes with 95 per cent occupancy and modern aircraft could cut emissions by 50-75 per cent. He noted that premium seating generates three to 13 times more emissions per passenger than economy.

Aviation produced 577 million tonnes of CO2 in 2023, which is equivalent to Germany's annual emissions. The US accounted for a quarter of global aviation emissions, which is 14 per cent above the global average. China was slightly more efficient than average, while the UK was slightly below.

Policy options include efficiency ratings for routes, higher landing fees for polluting aircraft, and bans on the worst offenders. The International Civil Aviation Organization has relied on offsetting schemes, while the EU set a 2030 target for 6 per cent sustainable fuel use. However, supply shortages and costs remain significant barriers.

Critics argue that airlines focus on growing passenger numbers rather than improving efficiency. Gossling suggested that fewer, fuller flights with higher ticket prices could reduce demand. The ICAO stated that operational improvements could deliver 4-11 per cent of the needed reductions, with cleaner fuels and new technologies providing the remainder.