A new ban was signed into law in France this Tuesday targeting short domestic flights for journeys which can be completed in two-and-a-half hours by train.
Speaking in a decree, France’s transport minister Clement Beaune said that this is ‘an essential step and a strong symbol in the policy of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.’
Only three routes have been discontented: those which link Paris-Orly airport to the cities of Bordeaux, Nantes and Lyon. Other connecting flights will remain unaffected.
The EU insisted, for the ban to apply, that the air route in question must have a high-speed rail alternative which makes it possible to travel in less than two-and-a-half hours.
There must also be enough early and late running trains to enable travellers to spend at least eight hours at the destination.
However, some have criticised President Emmanuel Macron for ‘watering down’ proposals which recommended bans on flights where train journeys were an alternative.
Critics stated that high-speed train lines were already doing the job and the ban is basic lip-service to climate concerns. The three routes affected by the ban represent, according to estimates by group Transport & Environment, just 0.3$ of emissions produced by flights taking off from France and 3% of domestic flight emissions.
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