EU presidents flew on private jet to COP27 climate talks, documents show

The joint presidents of the European Union flew on a private jet to November's climate talks in Egypt.

Politico reported on Tuesday that flight data obtained through a Freedom of Information request revealed heavy use of private flights by European Council President Charles Michel.

Between the beginning of his term in 2019 and December 2022, it was shown that Michel traveled using commercial airlines for just 18 of 112 missions.

The president used airline taxis on 72 trips, including COP 27 in Glasgow and COP 26 in the year before, according to the outlet.

Politico said that he invited Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the flight to Egypt.

A spokesman for Michel did not immediately respond to FOX Business' request for comment, but a spokesman told Politico that the decision to travel by private jet last year was made after no commercial flights were available to return Michel to Brussels in time for his work at the European Parliament.

While staff looked into flying with Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, that plane was to return before Michel's work at COP 27 would be completed.

The spokesperson said that hiring a private jet was the only suitable option under the circumstances and that the president of the commission was also invited to COP 27 and we proposed to share a flight. He also noted that the flight complied with internal council rules and that neither Brussels nor Sharm El-Sheikh airports had provision for sustainable aviation fuel. Since 2021, the spokesperson said Michel has offset the emissions of his flights by funding a Brazilian ceramics factory to switch its fuel from illegal timber to agricultural and industrial waste products.

A spokesman for the commission said that the officials had flight-pooled and that the fact that both presidents traveled together shows that they did what was possible to optimize the travel arrangements and reduce the carbon footprint.

A commission spokeswoman didn't respond immediately to a request for comment.

Public officials and celebrities have been under scrutiny for questionable air travel choices, with some calling for climate change-related action.

Bill Gates, a billionaire, told the BBC that it was not hypocritical for him to travel by private jet while trying to tackle the issue.

By funding Climeworks, I have a direct air capture that far exceeds my family's carbon footprint, Gates said.

Taylor Swift received backlash after a sustainability marketing agency found she had flown in her private jet 170 times between Jan. 1 and July 29 of last year.

A representative for the singer said Taylor's jet is regularly loaned out to other individuals. According to TMZ, to attribute most of these trips to her is blatantly incorrect.

Kylie Jenner has also faced criticism over her decision to take her private jet on a flight that lasted fewer than 20 minutes, as well as additional shorter trips.