“The fact that the rich and famous are burning fuel that has become scarce to go to a film festival is not only proof of blindness, it is obscene,” declared a former Air France pilot, Anthony Viaux, one of the signatories of the call.
Last year, 750 private jets transported stars from around the world and Hollywood studio executives to Cannes, according to estimates from the NGO Transport and Environment (T & E).
“It’s the equivalent of the fuel consumption to transport 14,000 passengers between Paris and Athens,” Jérôme du Boucher, deputy in charge of aviation at T&E, told AFP this Thursday.
The organization is calling on the government to ban private jets “in a context of climate crisis and oil shock”, while the war in the Middle East has triggered a global energy crisis.
Former private jet pilot Katie Thompson is calling on stars to follow the example of “The Mandalorian” star Pedro Pascal, who took a commercial plane to Cannes last year. “Pedro Pascal came to Cannes in economy class. There is no reason why others should not do the same,” she said.
“Reserve this kerosene for more essential uses”
“It seems absolutely obvious to reserve this kerosene for more essential uses, at a time when we are facing fuel shortages,” added Jérôme du Boucher.
Many countries around the world are being forced to ration fuel as Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz enters its fourth month after the United States and Israel launched war.
More than 500 flights have been canceled in France alone, says Jérôme du Boucher, and up to 20 million passengers could be affected by disruptions in Germany during the summer holidays.
