Ex-Pilot Criticizes Wealthy Celebrities Taking Private Jets to Cannes Film Festival as ‘Unacceptable’

CANNES, France

Climate change activists are calling on celebrities to opt for economy flights or trains to Cannes, citing that private jets burned through two million liters of kerosene on their way to last year’s film festival.

“It’s not just tone-deaf for the wealthy to waste fuel attending film festivals; it’s frankly disgraceful,” remarked Anthony Viau, a former pilot for Air France.

According to the environmental group Transport and Environment (T&E), seven hundred fifty private jets transported celebrities and Hollywood executives to major film festivals last year, coinciding with a global fuel crisis triggered by conflicts in the Middle East.

“The fuel used is equivalent to what 14,000 people would consume for a flight from Paris to Athens,” explained Jérôme du Boucher, the group’s aviation director.

Katie Thompson, an ex-private jet pilot, suggested that stars like Pedro Pascal, who took an economy flight to Cannes last year, should serve as a role model for others.

“There’s no reason for anyone else not to do the same. They should take the train whenever possible,” she asserted.

Du Boucher is actively lobbying European governments to implement a ban on private jets.

“In light of the climate emergency and the current oil crisis, it’s clear that this kerosene should be reserved for more essential purposes as we face fuel shortages,” he said.

T&E pointed out that under existing EU regulations, two-thirds of private jets are exempt from carbon taxation, largely due to concerns over potential backlash from the U.S. if the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is broadened.

While general aviation travelers in the EU are subject to taxes, the wealthiest individuals appear to be evading them.

Even some billionaires are advocating for policy changes. Julia Davis, co-founder of Patriotic Millionaire UK, stated, “Private jets are a luxury for the very affluent, and notably, many of these flights remain untaxed, unlike the fuel and carbon taxes that most people pay daily to commute to work.”

In the wake of the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Tehran, many nations are now facing fuel rationing as tensions rise around the Strait of Hormuz.

Du Boucher further mentioned that over 500 flights have already been canceled in France, with potential disruptions affecting up to 20 million passengers in Germany during the summer holiday season.

“This current oil crisis presents a chance to address the matter of private jet usage,” he noted.

Viau emphasized that it’s crucial for the EU to close regulatory loopholes to ensure all private jets and international flights are taxed appropriately in the future.

“Policymakers in the EU shouldn’t allow the Trump administration to influence their decisions,” he added.

Furthermore, the organization’s research indicates that if those who typically fly private to the Cannes Film Festival switched to commercial flights, the festival could meet 40 percent of its target for reducing CO2 emissions by 2030.