Private Jets – An Easy Target for Climate Action Protestors?

In recent years, climate protestors have been all over the news calling out for radical change across transportation, industry, and our global economic system. Young, angry and promoting for drastic change, their actions go from peaceful traffic blockages to crimes against property, some of which worth millions. The cry for help is obvious: humanity is racing against the clock and reaching the final second, its last opportunity.

Are climate protestors wrong, or are we all due radical action? Is there more to the story, and are private jets, in particular, the easiest of targets that keep ignoring far greater villains in this story? During the next few lines we’ll make a case on why private aviation is a mere drop of water on a very large ocean, and particularly how the industry is a leader in sustainable solutions.

Private jets are an easy target for climate activists, especially when public figures advocate for environmental causes while flying privately. The paradox seems undeniable: a celebrity preaching sustainability from the seat of a private jet can appear hypocritical. It’s therefore no wondering that luxury travel and climate concern has created fertile ground for protests and some media criticism. However, the outrage often overlooks the bigger picture — private jet users are by no means sole contributors to global emissions. In fact, many individuals in the spotlight actively invest in green initiatives and offset their emissions, but those efforts rarely make the headlines.

The root of the fuss lies in the public’s tendency to seek out tangible symbols of wealth and excess to blame for climate issues. Private jets are a visible and obvious target, making them an ideal scapegoat for broader environmental frustrations. But focusing on private jet travel distracts from the systemic changes required to combat climate change, such as reducing reliance on fossil fuels across industries, improving infrastructure, and enforcing stronger environmental regulations. Blaming individuals, particularly high-profile ones, creates a narrative that personal actions alone can solve a global crisis. The reality is that large-scale industrial and governmental action is where the most significant impact can be made.

The case against climate protestors seems simple: it seems hypocritical to advocate for a ban on fossil fuels and still benefit from not only the means of transportation used, but also a thriving global economy that relies on the current model. That said, our industry remains open to debate and pushing for rapid change on our side. Achieving either an 80% reduction on emissions or a transition to EV and Hybrid systems may turn the devilish image private aviation currently has in this speech into a champion for change.

In the same sense that not all climate action protestors are alike, there have been some occasions where such actions have gone a bit too far. Let’s remember a few, and reflect on whether there are more efficient and less damaging ways to make our voices hear.

• Blocking Emergency Vehicles and Essential Services (2023-2024)
  In 2023 and 2024, there were multiple instances of climate activists blocking major roads and highways as part of their protests. For example, in the UK, groups like Just Stop Oil staged roadblocks that not only disrupted commuters but also hindered emergency services like ambulances. One particularly controversial incident in 2023 saw an ambulance delayed en route to a medical emergency due to a protest, sparking outrage. Critics argue that while the cause may be noble, endangering lives in the process crosses a moral line.
• Vandalizing Art and Cultural Heritage
  In late 2022 and early 2023, climate activists targeted famous works of art in museums across Europe, gluing themselves to masterpieces and defacing them with paint. For instance, Last Generation activists threw mashed potatoes at a Claude Monet painting and tomato soup at Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers.” Although the artworks were protected by glass, these actions alarmed the public and many argued that attacking cultural heritage alienated potential allies for the climate cause rather than building sympathy.
• Disrupting Public Events and Sports (2023-2024)
  Major sporting events became increasingly popular targets for climate protests in 2023 and 2024. At the 2023 Wimbledon tennis tournament, activists disrupted matches by throwing confetti and running onto the courts. Similarly, the 2024 Tour de France was interrupted by climate activists who sat on the road to block cyclists. While these protests succeeded in grabbing attention, they were met with backlash from both fans and participants, who argued that the events were neither directly responsible for climate change nor the right forum for such disruptions.
• Deflating Tires on SUVs (2023-2024)
  Activist group Tyre Extinguishers took action against high-emission vehicles by deflating the tires of SUVs across several cities in Europe and North America. In some cases, they left notes explaining their motives: discouraging the use of gas-guzzling vehicles. However, this form of protest led to serious unintended consequences, including stranding families, disabled individuals who relied on these vehicles for mobility, and even putting lives at risk when emergency services were delayed due to deflated tires. This method was seen by many as too confrontational and harmful to individuals, rather than addressing corporate or governmental responsibility.
• Targeting Private Aviation with Physical Disruption
  In 2023 and 2024, several climate protest groups physically blocked runways or glued themselves to private jets in airports across Europe, especially in places like Geneva and Amsterdam. While this grabbed international headlines and underscored their opposition to private aviation, it led to widespread disruption, stranded passengers, and significant security risks. Though these stunts were aimed at highlighting the perceived environmental impact of private jets, critics argued that the physical risks and disruption outweighed the message, alienating the very audiences they aimed to influence.

Such examples display the fine line climate activists walk between raising awareness and alienating the public through such extreme tactics. While the climate crisis is urgent, some of these actions, by inconveniencing or harming individuals rather than addressing the larger systemic issues, have drawn backlash and undermined the broader cause. Are there better ways to reach the audience and invoke change? We’d like to believe so, and we’ll suggest a few in the next few lines.

Our role is obvious: to promote and adopt urgent change. Private aviation, in particular, was already on such a path before youngesters started gluing themselves to the fuselage or throwing paint at masterpieces. There are numerous advantages for aviation in achieving a zero emissions model, from cost reduction to fresh PR. That work doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s already happening behind the curtains, whether climate protestors wish to admit it or not.

The younger generations will always chase a cause and advocate for radical solutions. We support them in their endeavours, even though we don’t believe this change can be achieved without a sustainable strategy. Looking at the obvious example of EVs, what started as a flagship for environmental change is rapidly turning into a complex logistic problem. Charging millions of EVs without the appropriate infrastructure and still relying on the same carbon-based production systems should lead us to reflection on how to achieve more and better.

From our perspective, the case seems simple: we promote operators who use the most recent jets available, with increased fuel efficiency and carbon offset programs. You’d be surprised to learn that many of the personalities who represent climate action also travel with us and our partners. Point being, their time is crucial to exert influence, leading them to travel in the most convenient and time-efficient way – one only a private jet can offer.

Discover our range of services and modern aircrafts connecting you with the world. Contact our team for more information and how to obtain the best rates for private jet flights worldwide, with utmost convenience and not forgetting the importance of achieving minimal environmental impact.