[Travel] France’s Plan To Ban Short-Haul Domestic Flights

[Stat Brother]

Not that there's a single poster on this forum that needs reminding our transport infrastructure is a joke, here's one anyway:-

France’s Plan To Ban Short-Haul Domestic Flights Wins Approval From European Commission

The days of short-haul flights in Europe are numbered, at least in France.

www.forbes.com

The days of short-haul flights in Europe are numbered, at least in France. On Friday the European Commission gave the go ahead for France to prevent flights between Paris Orly airport and Nantes, Lyon, and Bordeaux.

If, after three years, the concept is judged successful then more flight routes will be banned.

As part of the country’s Climate Law, France wants to abolish flights between cities that are linked by a train journey of less than two and a half hours. New high-speed rail lines—part of the EU's TEN-T project—will make many short-haul flights redundant across Europe, believe planners and politicians.


Based on their 2 1/2 hour criteria, we couldn't even ban flights from Shoreham to Gatwick

 

[Springal]

Given how often the French rail strikes happen (including during the Euros in 2016 which forced us to fly) can’t see that lasting long. Even Eurostar is incredibly expensive. I tried to use it recently and when it was working, it was 2x-3x the cost of flights (and 2x longer)

How long does it take to ride a bike from Lille to Nice anyway ?

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

I think with the excellent domestic rail network in France, so many cities reahable from the capital within two & a half hours, that this really could work.

Obviously not a cat in Hell's chance of it catching on in the Uk though, where on British Snail it takes nearly half of that time to reach London from the coast, even on a good day.

 

[Motogull]

Even Eurostar is incredibly expensive. I tried to use it recently and when it was working, it was 2x-3x the cost of flights (and 2x longer)

Who wouldn't want the sort of rail service described in the the OP.

A few years back, I knew a fella that worked in Brussels. He Eurostarred the commute. He got first class returns booked out there cheaper than council class returns bookable from here.

 

[AmexRuislip]

Not that there's a single poster on this forum that needs reminding our transport infrastructure is a joke, here's one anyway:-

France’s Plan To Ban Short-Haul Domestic Flights Wins Approval From European Commission

The days of short-haul flights in Europe are numbered, at least in France.

www.forbes.com

The days of short-haul flights in Europe are numbered, at least in France. On Friday the European Commission gave the go ahead for France to prevent flights between Paris Orly airport and Nantes, Lyon, and Bordeaux.

If, after three years, the concept is judged successful then more flight routes will be banned.

As part of the country’s Climate Law, France wants to abolish flights between cities that are linked by a train journey of less than two and a half hours. New high-speed rail lines—part of the EU's TEN-T project—will make many short-haul flights redundant across Europe, believe planners and politicians.


Based on their 2 1/2 hour criteria, we couldn't even ban flights from Shoreham to Gatwick

This would have been better, if the head line read:

France’s Plan To Ban Short-Haul Channel Crossings to the UK.​

 

[GT49er]

Not that there's a single poster on this forum that needs reminding our transport infrastructure is a joke, here's one anyway:-

France’s Plan To Ban Short-Haul Domestic Flights Wins Approval From European Commission

The days of short-haul flights in Europe are numbered, at least in France.

www.forbes.com

The days of short-haul flights in Europe are numbered, at least in France. On Friday the European Commission gave the go ahead for France to prevent flights between Paris Orly airport and Nantes, Lyon, and Bordeaux.

If, after three years, the concept is judged successful then more flight routes will be banned.

As part of the country’s Climate Law, France wants to abolish flights between cities that are linked by a train journey of less than two and a half hours. New high-speed rail lines—part of the EU's TEN-T project—will make many short-haul flights redundant across Europe, believe planners and politicians.


Based on their 2 1/2 hour criteria, we couldn't even ban flights from Shoreham to Gatwick

Sounds like a great idea.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Germany, Spain, Italy, all could do similar, all have excellent, and fast, mainline rail servises city to city.

True of most westernised European countries in fact . . . except Britain of course.

 

[GT49er]

Germany, Spain, Italy, all could do similar, all have excellent, and fast, mainline rail servises city to city.

True of most westernised European countries in fact . . . except Britain of course.

Even so, for the sake of the environment and emissions and all that, even in Britain it would be a good idea. Need to re-nationalise the railways though, and make the fares cheaper.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Give it 5 years and they will be back

 

[LamieRobertson]

I assume private jets will still be allowed to carry the wealthy wherever they want….one rule for….

 

[GT49er]

I assume private jets will still be allowed to carry the wealthy wherever they want….one rule for….

Sadly, that's a very good point.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Even so, for the sake of the environment and emissions and all that, even in Britain it would be a good idea. Need to re-nationalise the raiways though, and make the fares cheaper.

I agree, l've a feeling that Hell will freeze over before that ever happens though, certainly if a Tory government remains in power.

Even then a massive railway rebuilding programme will need to start. We are just so far behind the rest of Europe in that respect . . . most respects come to think of it!

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

If successful this could be a plan that really takes off across Europe.










Sorry.

 

[nicko31]

I assume private jets will still be allowed to carry the wealthy wherever they want….one rule for….

There are moves to make them contribute to their climate damage.

Tax on private jets to get French government backing: Environment minister

Bechu says the administration supports an amendment to the 2023 tax bill to impose tougher tax rules on private jet emissions.

www.politico.eu

I'd heavily tax them and put a levy on all premium economy, business and 1st class fares

 

[Springal]

There are moves to make them contribute to their climate damage.

Tax on private jets to get French government backing: Environment minister

Bechu says the administration supports an amendment to the 2023 tax bill to impose tougher tax rules on private jet emissions.

www.politico.eu

I'd heavily tax them and put a levy on all premium economy, business and 1st class fares

They already subsidise the peasants in economy as it is

 

[Papak]

If successful this could be a plan that really takes off across Europe.










Sorry.

I could see it being plane sailing if the trial is successful...

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

If successful this could be a plan that really takes off across Europe.

If successful this could be a plan that means no one will take off again!








Sorry.

 

[nicko31]

They already subsidise the peasants in economy as it is

Possibly so, still doesn't make it right. For the average consumer its probably the single most carbon intensive activity available, if I was offered a free upgrade I'd decline it.

Imagine the equivalent VAT and duty you'd pay pro-rata if you burnt that much fuel in road travel

 

[Lenny Rider]

Will we still be able to fly to Spain?

 

[Springal]

Possibly so, still doesn't make it right. For the average consumer its probably the single most carbon intensive activity available, if I was offered a free upgrade I'd decline it.

Imagine the equivalent VAT and duty you'd pay pro-rata if you burnt that much fuel in road travel

The thing is the airlines do tax it - just no one taxes them.