European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen took one of the shortest private jet flights on record last Friday, traveling alongside two other top EU officials from Brussels to Luxembourg — a distance that could have been covered by car in under three hours.
The trip, which also included European Council President António Costa and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, was made via a specially chartered flight for the occasion. The purpose of the visit was to attend the Schuman Day celebrations with Luxembourg’s Prime Minister, Luc Frieden.
According to chief Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho, the reason for using a private aircraft was due to scheduling conflicts between the EU leaders and the Luxembourg Prime Minister. “The only viable way for all four to be present at the event was by using this mode of transport. It was an exceptional case,” she stated during a press briefing.
Pinho added that, given the limited time available, the plane was “much faster than traveling by car” and was the only logistical option that ensured the simultaneous presence of the European leaders at the commemoration of the historic Schuman Declaration — a symbolic foundation of the European project.
Nonetheless, the decision has reignited criticism over the frequent use of private jets by key EU figures, especially at a time when the Union itself is advocating for sustainability, clean transport, and the reduction of polluting emissions.
