Europe is looking to completely ditch air travel, or at least restrict it, and switch all main travel to trains. 

With environmental groups putting pressure on travellers and companies to seek greener options, many in Europe have began their search for an extensive rail network to replace short haul air travel. 

Airlines like KLM have already entered into rail partnerships on certain routes, and countries like Austria and France are also seeking to restrict internal routes where trains are available. 

Many of the changes being suggested and adopted are not quick solutions, so this vision might still be far off in the future of Europe. 

What could be some of the obstacles? High prices and low frequencies currently remain an obstacle to getting more people to switch from flying. 

Better connectivity between intercity rail and airports would also reduce the need for short haul flights, but this would require airlines and airport operators to cooperate better together. 

2023 kicked off with a new legislation promised in France which would ban short haul flights on a number of domestic routes. For the ban to apply, the EU insisted the air route in question have a high speed rail alternative. 

But the EU Commission massively watered down the plans, making this bill a rather symbolic move rather than one which actually aids sustainability.

What do you think?

#MaltaDaily