France prohibits domestic flights on short routes that can be covered by train. here’s why
This decision angered the aviation industry.
In a bid to cut carbon emissions, France on Tuesday formally imposed a ban on domestic flights on short routes that can be traveled by train, BBC reported. Under the new law, journeys possible in less than two and a half hours by train cannot be taken by plane.
The change will mainly exclude air travel between Paris and regional hubs such as Nantes, Lyon and Bordeaux, with connecting flights remaining unchanged.
Clément Beaune, French Transport Minister, said NC, ”This is an essential step and a strong symbol in the policy of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As we fight relentlessly to decarbonize our lifestyles, how can we justify the use of the plane between the big cities which benefit from regular, fast and efficient rail connections.”
The law specifies that rail services on the same route must be frequent, timely and well enough connected to meet the needs of passengers who would otherwise travel by air. People making such journeys should also be able to make outward and return journeys by train in the same day, after spending eight hours at their destination.
The country is also cracking down on the use of private jets for short trips to make transportation greener and fairer for people. A report by Transport and Environment (T&E), the European Federation for Clean Transport, found that private jets are up to 14 times more polluting than commercial flights per passenger-mile, and 50 times worse than trains.
However, this decision angered the aviation industry. Laurent Donceel, acting director of the industry group Airlines for Europe (A4E), told AFP that “banning these trips will only have minimal effects” on CO2 production.
He added that governments should instead support “real and meaningful solutions” to the problem.
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