Today we will examine the United Kingdom's most polluting airports by emissions per passenger kilometer. The burning of fuel by aircraft engines produces carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas that can trap heat in the atmosphere. As we have seen this summer in the Mediterranean, Southwest United States, and China, the Earth is heating up, and a large part of this has to do with climate change brought about by rising emissions.
While politicians talk about reducing climate change and getting to net zero, they continue to be some of the world's worst polluters. Instead of making what would be a simple train journey, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak would rather use a private jet. Per passenger, business jets are 14 times more polluting than commercial passenger aircraft and 50 times more polluting than trains. According to Europe's leading clean transport campaign group, Transport & Environment, the United Kingdom is Europe's most significant private jet polluter, accounting for 20% of the continent's related emissions.
1 Jersey Airport (JER)
Located 14 miles from France and 100 miles from England in the English Channel, Jersey is a British Crown Dependency well known for being a tax haven for the wealthy. Jersey also has a larger carbon footprint than any other airport in the UK, with the facility responsible for 156 grams of CO2 per passenger per kilometer. To help tackle this high number Jersey Airport plans to introduce new flight paths into the airport to help cut emissions and aircraft noise.
2 London City Airport (LCY)
Located in the old Docklands area of London near the city's financial center, London City Airport is another small airport that caters to private jets and short-haul European flights. The largest aircraft that can land at LCY is the 146-passenger Embraer E195-E2.
According to the website Utility Bidder LCY is responsible for 154 grams of CO2 per passenger per kilometer.
3 Southampton Airport (SOU)
Coming in third on our list of polluting airports is Southampton Airport (SOU) on the south coast of Hampshire. Despite cutting its emissions numbers recently, SOU is still responsible for 135 grams of CO2 per passenger kilometer.
4 Belfast George Best (BHD)
Again a tiny airport with a single runway located three miles from the city center and adjacent to Belfast Harbor, the airport was once the Short Brothers/Bombardier manufacturing site. In 2022 BHD handled 1.6 million passengers and was responsible for 133 grams of CO2 per passenger kilometer.
5 Inverness Airport (INV)
Owned by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL), Inverness Airport is the gateway to Northern Scotland. Served by Logan Air, British Airways, and KLM, most flights from INV are to other destinations in the United Kingdom. BA offers daily flights to London Heathrow, though KLM Cittyhopper connects the city with Amsterdam in the Netherlands. According to the Utility Bidder, INV is responsible for 121 grams of CO2 per passenger per kilometer.
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6 Norwich Airport (NWI)
Located in East Anglia, Norwich Airport (NWI) is the busiest airport in the region and ranks 28 on a list of the UK's busiest airports. Formerly known as RAF Horsham St Faith, today, NWI is responsible for 117 grams of CO2 emissions per passenger per kilometer.
7 Aberdeen Airport (ABZ)
While a hub for Logan Air, Aberdeen Airport (ABZ) is the main heliport for the offshore North Sea oil and gas industry. According to Utility Bidder, ABZ is responsible for 115 grams of CO2 emissions per passenger kilometer.
8 London Heathrow (LHR)
As the busiest airport in the United Kingdom, it's unsurprising that London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is on the top ten list of the UK's worst polluting airports. Because LHR handles so many passengers, however, its numbers are better than some of the country's smaller airports.
According to Utility Bidder, LHR is responsible for 95 grams of CO2 per passenger kilometer.
9 Exeter Airport (EXT)
Serving the county of Devon in southwest England, Exeter Airport (EXT) was once an RAF fighter base, pivotal during the Battle of Britain. Now the airport offers flights to several destinations in the UK and is used by TUI and Ryanair during the summer months. Per passenger kilometer, EXT is responsible for 93 grams of CO2.
10 Belfast International Airport (BFS)
Unlike George Best Airport, BFS is Northern Ireland's main airport, with flights throughout the UK and Europe. As a hub for easyJet, BFS handled 4.8 million passengers in 2022 and is responsible for 86 grams of CO2 per passenger kilometer.
If you were wondering what the UK's least polluting airport is, it is Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK), with just 64 grams of CO2 per passenger kilometer.
Sources: Utility Bidder