Business aviation associations challenge elDiario.es article over misleading portrayal of the sector

Brussels, 30 April 2026. The European business aviation sector, represented by EBAA together with the Spanish Business Aviation Association, SPBAA, has responded to a recent article published by elDiario.es concerning the emissions of business aviation in Spain.

In it, both associations express concern over the focus and conclusions of the article published on 27 April, entitled  “The private jets of Spain’s major companies and wealthy individuals polluted as much as one million passengers”. EBAA and SPBAA underline that business aviation is not limited to luxury travel, but forms part of Europe’s wider transport and mobility ecosystem, supporting corporate mobility, medical transport, emergency flights, regional connectivity, industrial activity and European competitiveness.

The response highlights that business aviation represents approximately 8% of aviation in Europe, while accounting for only 0.8% of total aviation emissions in the EU and just 0.04% of total EU CO₂ emissions. The sector also supports more than 450,000 jobs across Europe, including around 21,000 in Spain, and contributes approximately EUR 100 billion to European GDP.

EBAA and SPBAA reaffirm their commitment to reducing aviation emissions, while calling for a debate based on accuracy, proportionality and a full understanding of the value business aviation brings to society, the economy and Europe’s connectivity.