Hanscom High Flyers: private jet excess doesn't justify airport expansion
Private jet travel epitomizes extravagant luxury at the public's expense.
As detailed in the "Institute for Policy Studies" High Flyers 2023 report earlier this year, private jets emit 10 to 20 times more pollution per passenger than commercial flights. Despite the average private jet owner's wealth of nearly $200 million, they contribute significantly less toward aviation fees for air safety compared to coach passengers on commercial airlines.
This report focuses on a specific case study: Laurence G. Hanscom Field, the largest general aviation airport in New England and a major hub for private jets in the region. Local residents are actively opposing a proposed expansion of the airport that aims to triple its capacity to accommodate private jets.
The analysis of 18 months' worth of private flight data at Hanscom reveals that affluent private jet travelers, often frequenting short-haul flights to leisure and luxury destinations, stand to benefit most from the proposed expansion.
Based on these findings, the Institute advocates for an immediate halt to expansions of private jet services at local airports. They also recommend implementing higher user taxes and fees on private jet travel to support sustainable public transportation initiatives, and emphasize the need for greater transparency regarding private jet flights and their environmental impact, particularly their carbon emissions.