The European Union approved France‘s legislation in December 2022 to ban short-haul flights on routes linked by a train journey of fewer than 2.5 hours, per the World Economic Forum. Notably, it is part of the country’s effort to lower transport carbon emissions.
The program’s initial phase will cover three major routes: Orly – Paris’ secondary airport – to the cities of Nantes, Lyon, and Bordeaux. It will probably be followed by routes between Paris Charles de Gaulle and Lyon and Rennes, along with journeys between Lyon and Marseille once the rail networks improve.
Notably, the ban is likely to take effect by 2023.
France’s efforts to cut transportation emissions
The newly approved law is under the country’s 2021 Climate Law, initially advocated by France’s Citizens’ Convention on Climate. These citizens are entrusted to help the country uncover solutions to reduce carbon emissions.
Notably, the short-haul flight ban will take effect for three years. Then, it must be reevaluated by the Commission.
“[This] is a major step forward in the policy of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. I am proud that France is a pioneer in this area.”
Transport minister Clément Beaune
Apart from the short-haul flight ban, France is also set to ban private jets for short trips. Per Transport and Environment, France holds the most private jets in Europe, accounting for one in ten trips in 2019.
That said, Transport minister Clément Beaune declared that the nation could no longer tolerate the wealthy using private jets while the general population makes cuts to address the energy crisis and climate change.
Oppositions
France takes pride in its extensive rail system. Passengers can take advantage of affordable and frequent routes between major metropolitan centers thanks to the country’s extensive high-speed TGV network.
However, the restriction has been opposed by the French airline industry. The law was opposed by the Union of French Airports (UAF) and the European branch of the Airports Council International (ACI Europe) as soon as it was announced.
Industry groups worry that the ban could serve as a model for greater restrictions on short-haul flying throughout Europe.
That said, they are looking to invoke EU freedom rights of movement to cancel the ban on short-haul flights.
“We have the principle established by the EU of an open, liberalised market with the freedom to provide air services for any European airlines between any point within Europe. We have the principle established by the EU of an open, liberalised market with the freedom to provide air services for any European airlines between any point within Europe.”
Senior industry official
The argument, however, is that traveling by plane can be costly, difficult, and prone to bad weather, aside from the apparent effects on one’s carbon footprint. Nonetheless, France is remarkable in its efforts to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change.
