France has announced a ban on short-haul flights where people are able to get a train instead as part of efforts by the country to reduce carbon emissions.
According to reports, the ban affects journeys that can be completed by train in less than two-and-a-half hours, ruling out flights between Paris and Nantes, Lyon and Bordeaux. Connecting flights are unaffected by the ban.
Available reports also suggest that the move was originally proposed as a stricter restriction on any journey that could be completed by train in less than four hours. It was said to have been included in 2021 climate legislation but faced fierce opposition from the aviation industry.
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Recall that the train journey time was reduced to two-and-a-half hours after objections. The law also specifies that train routes must be frequent and able to meet the needs of passengers who would otherwise fly.
France has the second-largest railway network in Europe and low-cost, high-speed travel is available across the country. The country’s ban on short-haul flights comes after the UK recent cut tax on domestic flights.
Story was adapted from Sky News.
