Massive annual increase in private jet traffic in Scotland shows urgent need to tax the rich
A 32% year-on-year increase in private jet flights to just one Scottish airport is a sign that we urgently need to tax the super-rich, says Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer.
The statistic comes from an investigation from Oxfam Scotland, which revealed that Scottish Government-owned Prestwick Airport saw a huge 32% increase in private jet flights from 2023 to 2024.
Oxfam Scotland’s investigation also highlighted that some private jets can emit 20 or even 30 times more carbon emissions than flying economy class.
The Scottish Greens have long campaigned for a Private Jet Tax in Scotland by increasing the rate of Air Departure Tax (ADT) on non-commercial jets. However, an ongoing stalemate between the Scottish Government and the UK Government over the introduction of ADT has delayed progress.
The party is now calling for the Scottish Government to show clear leadership and to tax the super-rich by introducing a departure and arrival levy on private jet flights at Government-owned airports, namely Prestwick and the eleven airports owned via Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL).
While Prestwick Airport sees substantial private jet traffic, often associated with golf events, HIAL airports are also regularly used by international elites who own large estates in Scotland.
Ross said:
“An obscene amount of wealth is being hoarded by a tiny number of elites who fly across the globe in their climate-wrecking private jets.
“These jets have a huge impact on our environment, and while their super-rich occupants fly between their golf courses and superyachts, it’s Scottish taxpayers left paying to clean up their mess.
“We all know that we urgently need to reduce pollution from planes to combat the climate emergency. One of the easiest ways to do that is to reduce private jet use, which is twenty times more polluting than regular commercial flights.
“That’s why the Scottish Greens are proposing a private jet tax, which would raise money for our public services and keep the super-rich and their destructive toys on the ground.
“We’ve waited for years for the Scottish and UK Governments to deliver the devolution of Air Departure Tax in Scotland, as they agreed to do over a decade ago.
“Delays to the devolution of ADT aren’t a get out of jail free card for the Scottish Government. They can introduce a charge on private jets at the dozen airports they own right now, raising cash for public services and taking action to tackle the climate emergency.”