Ultra-wealthy private jets burn more fuel while dodging taxes, says new US report

A new IPS report, High Flyers 2026, finds the US private-aviation boom is linked to a climate and tax gap: private flights emit 10–14x more per passenger than commercial planes and emissions rose about 50%, private jets account for roughly 16% of FAA flight operations yet less than 0.6% of taxes to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, and noncommercial jets represent 7% of airspace activity; ownership is ultra-wealthy (median jet-owner wealth about $190 million, fractional owners about $140 million), the trend spurs more hangars and runway capacity, and NBAA lobbying around $2 million in 2025 pushes tax breaks—the report calls for reform to curb climate harm and ensure fair taxation.