CAA sets guidance on emissions information

 
Image  courtesy CAA  

In time, when passengers look to book flights with those who sell and advertise flights which depart or arrive from UK airports information such as the amount of carbon that would be emitted by their flight should be available.    

This information, which is already available on some flight comparison websites and in other sectors such as rail, should be standardised and comparable. 

The aim of the framework is to:  

• Present emissions information in a clear and consistent format to passengers at the point of booking 
• Encourage improved transparency in the aviation sector, based on real and up to date data reflecting factors like aircraft type, seat choice and fuel use  
• Support the industry in its wider efforts toward achieving net-zero emissions, with room for innovation and insights to improve the data as science evolves
• Provide a list of preferred methodologies for travel providers to calculate emissions information for consumers.   

Tim Johnson, Director at the UK Civil Aviation Authority said: “Airlines providing understandable and comparable emissions data will enable passengers to make more informed travel decisions.  

“We encourage all airlines and travel companies that advertise or sell flights in the UK which depart from or arrive at UK airports to follow this guidance."  

This framework marks an important milestone in the CAA’s work to support the UK’s transition to net zero. It follows a consultation held in 2024 and builds on an earlier Call for Evidence in 2023.   

The CAA expect that by April 2027 organisations will have had sufficient time to adopt this guidance.
 
The UK Civil Aviation Authority will be reviewing flight booking providers – including applicable airlines, travel agents and flight comparison websites – after this date and reporting on progress.   

As part of the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s wider sustainability work, it publishes information on the sector’s environmental performance through the Aviation Environmental Review. This includes detailed information on UK aviation’s greenhouse gas emissions, noise and air quality impacts. The most recent update was published in December 2025 with further updates planned later in the year.

The new CAA guidance can be found here: Consumer Environmental Information: Framework for Implementation and Summary of Responses to the 2024 Consultation