There is a climate angle to nearly every story. When a colleague flew from India to the U.S. but had to avoid Pakistan’s airspace due to restrictions on India-owned carriers, which meant taking a longer route, we knew what question we wanted to explore: are longer flight routes pushing up emissions?
Aviation is responsible for around 2.5% of global CO2 emissions but about 4% of warming thanks to non-CO2 contributions. The industry says that improving air traffic management could reduce those emissions by taking more efficient routes. In one study looking at the effects of Russia’s war in Ukraine, researchers found global aviation CO2 emissions increased by 1% in 2023 due to the large detours, and “the current geopolitical situation presents a major obstacle” to reducing emissions with air traffic management.
And with European carriers barred from Russia’s airspace, many rerouted through the Middle East, meaning they were affected twice when the U.S.-Iran war broke out and airspace restrictions expanded further.
Skift asked aviation data provider Skailark to run the numbers. It found carriers running routes from Europe to Northeast Asia that avoid Russian airspace saw fuel burn, emissions and time in flight rise. Airlines told Skift they remain committed to reducing emissions, and that avoiding Russia’s airspace puts them at a competitive disadvantage amid carriers facing fewer restrictions and launching European routes. You can read more on that story below.
👀 To watch: In Brussels last month European Commission policy officer Jo Dardenne, who works in the transport and mobility department, said the long-awaited EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy will be published in November 2026. Keep an eye out — if it isn’t delayed again.
The Commission last week also released a Framework for Climate Resilience, positioning climate adaptation as a lens that must be applied across its policy areas. At the center of the framework is a proposed resilience law, and other planned projects include a European Heatwave Plan, climate insurance, a water initiative, and efforts to identify 100 of the bloc’s territories that are most vulnerable to climate change. It’s a proposal right now, but could be significant in encouraging climate adaptation — like AC in Europe.
Skift Aviation Forum
The carriers that come out ahead of the fuel swing are the ones that can protect margin while rivals absorb the cost of flying the long way around. That math gets decided in the room on November 12.
The CEOs of International Airlines Group, Air Canada, Breeze Airways, and JetBlue take the stage at the TWA Hotel, JFK, alongside Boeing, Embraer, and Airbus, for the one-day deep dive that sets aviation’s agenda for the year ahead.
ACCOR GROUP + SKIFT
Accor's Coline Pont explains how its Hosting Change strategy connects sustainability with hotel performance, guest experience, and long-term value.
Headlines
Flying Around Russia Is Testing Airlines’ Climate Targets
by Tasmin Lockwood
November 2, 2026
Radisson’s First Net Zero Hotel in Africa Signals Shift From Leased to Managed Properties
by Tasmin Lockwood
October 27, 2026
Watch or Listen
The airline industry is navigating its most unpredictable period since the pandemic, with fuel prices, geopolitical tensions, premium travel demand, and aircraft shortages reshaping the competitive landscape. Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat break down the data behind the headlines, explaining why airlines remain profitable despite rising costs and unprecedented volatility.
Skift Travel 200
How are public travel companies performing around the world? The Skift Travel 200 pulls the data you need to understand global market movements. Paid subscribers get full access here.
