Even as airlines recuperate from three years of border closures and pandemic restrictions, there are growing calls for the industry to do more to address climate change.
Airlines are responsible for almost 3 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions, and more are offering travellers an option to reduce the environmental impact of their flight by buying carbon offsets.
Does paying extra for your airfare have any impact on the planet?
By paying to prevent or reduce emissions of carbon emissions, offsetting aims to mitigate the climate damage that carbon emissions cause.
This involves buying carbon credits with a permit or certificate that represents a reduction of one tonne of carbon dioxide emission generated from verified environmental projects.
When a carbon credit is used to compensate for emissions produced elsewhere, it is retired or taken out of circulation and becomes a carbon offset.
Singapore Airlines SIA is one of the carriers that give travellers the option to pay additional fees for carbon offsets. Passengers can calculate their share of carbon emissions on the airline's website and pay for offsets using cash or frequent flyer miles.
For example, a passenger on a return economy class flight from Singapore to London can pay S $21.86 to offset 1,682 on a return economy class flight. 3 kg of carbon dioxide emissions are generated.
100 percent of the funds will go towards preserving rainforests in Indonesia, solar energy projects in India and distributing clean-burning cooking stoves in rural parts of Nepal.
Other major airlines with similar carbon offset programs include Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa and All Nippon Airways.
According to the figures from Geneva-based industry association Air Transport Action Group, more than 50 airlines, including half of the world's 20 largest carriers, are currently doing so.
The take-up rate for carbon offset schemes has been low, as these schemes are voluntary, according to experts.
Air Transport Action Group executive director Haldane Dodd said the uptake varies based on the airlines, but generally it is very low, under 5 per cent of passengers choosing to offset their emissions through the airlines.
CNA spoke to other experts who were not surprised, noting that most consumers would likely perceive this to be an additional cost eating into their travel budgets.
The rise in airfares and inflation fears has made travellers more cost-conscious, even as the epidemic has raised awareness about green consumption, they added.