French Transport Minister Clement Beaune announced the decree. “This is an essential step and a strong symbol in the policy of reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” Beaune said in a statement.
France bans short-haul flights as trains become available. Photo: CNN
“As we fight relentlessly to decarbonise, how can we justify the use of planes between major cities that already benefit from frequent, fast and efficient train connections?” he added.
Only three routes will be suspended: Those connecting Paris-Orly airport with the cities of Bordeaux, Nantes and Lyon. Connecting flights will not be affected.
For the ban to apply, the EU insists that the air route in question must have an alternative to high-speed rail that could take the two cities in less than two and a half hours.
Critics have pointed out that high-speed rail lines have siphoned passengers away from airlines and that the ban merely pays lip service to climate concerns without actually doing anything.
“The French flight ban is a symbolic move, but will have little impact on reducing emissions,” said Jo Dardenne, aviation director at cleaner transport campaign group Transport & Environment.
Mai Anh (according to CNN)
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