According to Oxfam, private jets are the most polluting form of transport per passenger. A single flight from London to Paris on a private jet emits six times more CO₂ per passenger than a commercial plane, 12 times more than a car, and 180 times more than taking the train. A round trip from London to New York by private jet creates as much carbon as the average UK citizen produces in nearly 11 years.
Oxfam’s research highlights how the excessive emissions of the wealthiest one per cent are driving climate breakdown, while the poorest communities suffer the worst impacts. The charity is calling for governments to tax and regulate luxury transport such as private jets and superyachts as a simple and fair step towards cutting emissions and addressing climate inequality.
On Saturday August 30, 2025, activists from Extinction Rebellion Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (XR BCP) staged a peaceful protest at the XLR Private Jet Centre, Bournemouth Airport – one of only four XLR executive jet hubs in the UK, serving the ultra-wealthy few.
With banners declaring “Private Jets = Public Deaths”, chants of “Private Jets = Public Death! Ground them now, save what’s left!”, and the pounding rhythms of XR drummers, campaigners highlighted the lethal hypocrisy of luxury air travel, in the midst of a climate emergency.
Daniel Glennon, a customer service professional and XR BCP spokesperson explained:
“Most people in Bournemouth don’t even realise that there’s a private jet terminal hidden at our local airport. We’re here to raise awareness that the super-rich are flying in and out while the rest of us are being told to tighten our belts and cut back.”
Around 1,000 private jets pass through Bournemouth Airport each year; each journey emitting vastly more carbon dioxide than commercial flights. Private jets are, by passenger, the most polluting form of transport. Ralph Doe, a retired bookshop owner from Bournemouth said:
“Private jets are up to 14 times worse than commercial flights per passenger. Targeting them is a no-brainer: if governments are serious about climate action, banning private jets should be the first step.”
For XR activists, the urgency of the crisis leaves no room for delay. Liz Brereton, a counsellor also from Bournemouth, added
“I’m here today because the climate crisis is accelerating faster than scientists predicted, and we can’t afford to wait any longer. Every year we delay means more floods, fires, and heatwaves – we need urgent action now.”
About Extinction Rebellion
Extinction Rebellion (XR) is a decentralised, international and politically non-partisan movement using nonviolent direct action and civil disobedience to persuade governments to act justly on the Climate and Ecological Emergency.
Time has almost entirely run out to address the climate and ecological crisis which is upon us, including the sixth mass species extinction, global pollution, and increasingly rapid climate change. If urgent and radical action isn’t taken, we’re heading towards 4˚C warming, leading to societal collapse and mass loss of life. The younger generation, racially marginalised communities and the Global South are on the frontline. No one will escape the devastating impacts.
For more information contact: xrbournemouth@gmail.com.
