With the Cannes Film Festival set to kick off today, a coalition of former pilots and millionaires is urging governments to suspend private jet flights. New data reveals that approximately two million litres of kerosene were consumed transporting the rich and famous to and from the festival last year.
Environmental Impact of Private Jets
Around 750 private flights travelled to and from Cannes in 2025, releasing emissions equivalent to 14,000 passengers on commercial return flights from Paris to Athens, according to figures from Transport & Environment (T&E). Stars are now being encouraged to emulate actor Pedro Pascal, who flew economy to Cannes last year, or to take the train whenever possible. This comes amid warnings that aviation fuel shortages could affect millions of European holidaymakers as early as June.
Former Pilots Speak Out
Former pilots have condemned the 'reckless excess' of allowing private jet flights to continue when fuel reserves are needed for essential services such as emergency healthcare, disaster relief, humanitarian aid, and defence. Under current EU rules, two-thirds of private jets and all international flights are exempt from carbon taxes.
Katie Thompson, a former private jet pilot, stated: 'If last year is anything to go by, we will yet again see the world's film stars burning two million litres of fuel at Cannes Film Festival this year. With climate change accelerating, this reckless excess is outrageous, especially now when limited available fuel is desperately needed elsewhere for basic food production, disaster relief efforts, and other humanitarian emergencies. There is absolutely no excuse to be flying around on a private jet with multiple crises unfolding in front of our eyes. Last year, Pedro Pascal flew to Cannes in an economy seat. There's no reason the rest of them can't do the same, or take the train where possible. After all, we are all in this together.'
Call for EU Action
The former pilots are demanding that the European Union close loopholes that allow many of the wealthiest individuals to avoid fuel taxes. They call for an end to the exemption of two-thirds of private jets and all international flights from the carbon tax under the Emissions Trading System, a tax that every commercial passenger flying within the EU must pay.
Anthony Viaux, a former Air France pilot with over 20 years of experience, said: 'As a pilot, you have a front-row seat to climate change. The rich and famous burning through scarce fuel to get to a film festival isn't just tone deaf, it's obscene. We're calling on policymakers to ground all private flights with immediate effect. And the EU needs to close the loopholes to make sure that all private jets and international flights are subject to carbon taxes in future. EU policymakers shouldn't let Trump's administration dictate the rules. It's time to be bold and make sure the rich pay their fair share.'
Support from Millionaires
Even the ultra-wealthy have expressed agreement. Julia Davies, co-founder of We Have The POWER and a member of Patriotic Millionaires UK, commented: 'Private jets are a luxury only the very wealthiest few can afford, yet most of these flights are still not subject to fuel or carbon taxes - taxes the majority of people pay every day as they travel to work. Right now, amidst a fuel and accelerating climate crisis, fixing this means two things: grounding private jets to protect fuel for vital services including ambulances and making sure that private jets pay at least the same taxes as a care worker pays travelling to vulnerable clients.'
Many attendees of the film festival travel by private jets or luxury yachts, with travel accounting for 93 per cent of the festival's total carbon footprint, by its own estimate.
Cannes Festival's Environmental Efforts
Cannes festival organisers have celebrated efforts to upcycle red carpets and reduce paper printouts and single-use plastic waste. However, addressing the environmental impacts of travel remains a significant blind spot.
Jérôme du Boucher, deputy director of aviation at T&E, said: 'Everyone loves the glitz and glamour of Cannes Film Festival, but the fossil fuel crisis now brings the issue of jet fuel consumption around the festival into focus. We're calling on the festival organisers to work harder to incentivise cleaner forms of travel in coming years so that stars come in by train rather than private jet wherever possible and fly on commercial airlines where necessary. In the meantime, there's no excuse for governments not to ground private jets entirely given the fuel crisis, and use the upcoming Emissions Trading Scheme review to ensure they contribute to public coffers by paying carbon taxes in future.'
