Aviation growth is soaring to an all-time high, adding to a huge increase in the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.

For the first time, more than 2.5 million commercial flights will be made around the world in a single month, with 2.51 million scheduled for May, says the flight information company OAG. This beats the previous record of 2.49 million flights last August.

The figure marks year-on-year global growth in flight numbers of 5 per cent, which translates as an extra 114,000 flights and 17.7 million extra passenger seats compared with May last year.

OAG’s managing director, Duncan Alexander, said: “We are witnessing a step change in the way airlines are differentiating their product. This is great news from a traveller’s viewpoint, with much more competition and choice”.

Just don’t mention the climate….