The Spanish government recently put forward a proposal to ban short-haul domestic flights in cases where there is a train journey option that takes less than two and a half hours. This proposal is part of the government’s ambitious climate action plan for 2050 aimed at reducing carbon emissions. This follows a similar ban that was introduced in France last year, which currently affects three routes originating from Paris Orly Airport.
It is important to note that the proposed ban will not affect connecting flights in Spain that are linked to international routes. Therefore, major air hubs like Madrid and Barcelona are unlikely to experience any disruptions or schedule changes as a result of this ban. The proposal is currently undergoing further review before it can be enacted into law, and there are still uncertainties surrounding when these measures will be implemented and which domestic connections will be impacted.
According to a recent survey conducted by Hitachi Rail in 12 global markets, including major European cities, at least two-thirds of respondents expressed their willingness to switch from planes to trains if faster and more affordable options were made available. Additionally, the majority of participants, 64%, were supportive of banning short-haul flights between cities that are connected by high-speed rail links. In cities like Paris and Milan, the support for such a ban increased to 75% and 69%, respectively. However, opinions were divided when it came to increasing air taxes to fund improvements in rail travel, with 56% in favor and a third of respondents opposing the idea.
Despite the positive reception from many, there has been criticism from climate advocates and travel industry experts regarding the limited impact of short-haul flight bans. Some have raised concerns about the reallocation of airport slots previously used for domestic flights to longer, more carbon-intensive routes. Robert Boyle, an independent airline consultant, pointed out that the cancellations of short-haul flights could result in increased emissions from longer-distance flights taking their place. The European Regions Airlines Association also warned about the potential risk of suspended domestic routes being replaced by longer and more polluting flights, as well as the emissions resulting from increased road or rail travel.
While the proposal to ban short-haul flights in Spain has received support from a significant portion of the public and is aimed at addressing environmental concerns, there are valid criticisms and concerns that need to be addressed to ensure that the intended goal of reducing carbon emissions is achieved effectively and sustainably.
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