Former Air France pilot Anthony Viaux, one of the signatories of the appeal, declared, “The fact that rich and famous personalities burn scarce fuel to attend a film festival is not just a sign of blindness, it is obscene.”
Last year, 750 private jets transported stars from around the world and Hollywood studio executives to Cannes, according to estimates by the NGO Transport and Environment (T & E).
“This is equivalent to the fuel consumption required to transport 14,000 passengers between Paris and Athens,” said T & E’s aviation deputy, Jérôme du Boucher, in a statement to AFP on Thursday.
The organization is calling on the government to ban private jets “in the context of a climate crisis and an oil shock”, as the war in the Middle East has triggered a global energy crisis.
Former private jet pilot Katie Thompson urges celebrities to follow the example of “Mandalorian” star Pedro Pascal, who flew economy class to Cannes last year. “Pedro Pascal came to Cannes in economy class. There’s no reason why others shouldn’t 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 forced to ration fuel as the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran enters its fourth month after the war initiated by the United States and Israel.
Over 500 flights have been canceled just in France, according to Jérôme du Boucher, and up to 20 million passengers could be affected by disruptions in Germany during the summer holidays.
