[France] Short-haul flight ban comes into effect

In France, four months after the European Commission approved the country’s flight ban on short-haul domestic routes, it has now come into effect as part of the country’s climate law, Gulf Business reports.

The ban, which began on May 23, cancels flight journeys that can be completed by train in less than two-and-a-half hours. 

At present the bill reportedly covers three cities and will remain in place for three years. However, if the policy is deemed a success, further flight routes will be removed after an assessment.

What the law says

As per the R. 330-6 of France’s Civil Aviation France’s Civil Aviation Code:

1) The law applies to flights that connect airports located in the same towns or cities. If there are multiple airports serving the same town or city, the law applies to flights operating between those specific airports. The intention behind this provision is to encourage the use of alternative modes of transportation, such as trains, for short-distance travel within the same locality instead of relying on air travel.

2) The train connection between the airports must reportedly be direct, without requiring passengers to change trains. The train service should operate multiple times a day and provide satisfactory service, including affordable fares compared to alternative rail transport. The frequency and schedules of the train service should consider passenger transportation needs, connectivity, intermodality and potential traffic transfers resulting from the flight ban.

3) The train connection should allow passengers to spend more than eight hours at their destination during the day.

Why is the ban being introduced?

The aviation industry’s carbon footprint has been under the spotlight for quite some time. The European Union’s intricate rail network and borderless travel provide the scope for such an experiment, especially as net zero deadlines become a reality for many countries. 

Clément Beaune - France’s transport minister - stated that the move was “an essential step and a strong symbol in the policy of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.” Beaune also said the ban was a “global first that is fully in line with the Government’s policy of encouraging the use of modes of transportation that emit fewer greenhouse gases.”

The ban is also a reported attempt to use France’s high-speed TGV network more efficiently; it has expansive connections across the country. Trains between major cities are frequent, convenient and inexpensive, meaning most intercity passengers are already in the habit of taking the train.

Impact on travellers

The ban applies to three flight routes. Flights originating from Paris’ Orly Airport to Bordeaux, Lyon and Nantes have now been cancelled.

Passengers can, however, continue to get air connections to these regional capitals from Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport. Long-haul flights will also continue with these routes.

Alternatives to flights

1. Low-cost, high-speed Ouigo trains, start at just Eur10 from Paris to Lyon. These tickets offer the option of paying for a larger piece of luggage or an assigned seat.
2. Standard class on the regular high-speed TGV (inOui) trains offer better options for luggage and seating
3. First class regular TGV offer larger seats with extra legroom and more comfort
4. Some routes offer the night train - Intercité de Nuit - and slower trains called Intercités

Is this a permanent ban?

The implementation will reportedly remain under review during the initial phase of implementation and the European Commission will receive a report from the French government after 24 months. The EC approved the banning of flights on three routes, from an original request to ban a total of eight.

As per previous reporting, France had proposed domestic routes between Charles de Gaulle and Lyon, Rennes, Bordeaux and Nantes; and between Marseille and Lyon.

Source: Gulf Business

(Quotes via original reporting) 

In France, four months after the European Commission approved the country’s flight ban on short-haul domestic routes, it has now come into effect as part of the country’s climate law, Gulf Business reports.

The ban, which began on May 23, cancels flight journeys that can be completed by train in less than two-and-a-half hours. 

At present the bill reportedly covers three cities and will remain in place for three years. However, if the policy is deemed a success, further flight routes will be removed after an assessment.

What the law says

As per the R. 330-6 of France’s Civil Aviation France’s Civil Aviation Code:

1) The law applies to flights that connect airports located in the same towns or cities. If there are multiple airports serving the same town or city, the law applies to flights operating between those specific airports. The intention behind this provision is to encourage the use of alternative modes of transportation, such as trains, for short-distance travel within the same locality instead of relying on air travel.

2) The train connection between the airports must reportedly be direct, without requiring passengers to change trains. The train service should operate multiple times a day and provide satisfactory service, including affordable fares compared to alternative rail transport. The frequency and schedules of the train service should consider passenger transportation needs, connectivity, intermodality and potential traffic transfers resulting from the flight ban.

3) The train connection should allow passengers to spend more than eight hours at their destination during the day.

Why is the ban being introduced?

The aviation industry’s carbon footprint has been under the spotlight for quite some time. The European Union’s intricate rail network and borderless travel provide the scope for such an experiment, especially as net zero deadlines become a reality for many countries. 

Clément Beaune - France’s transport minister - stated that the move was “an essential step and a strong symbol in the policy of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.” Beaune also said the ban was a “global first that is fully in line with the Government’s policy of encouraging the use of modes of transportation that emit fewer greenhouse gases.”

The ban is also a reported attempt to use France’s high-speed TGV network more efficiently; it has expansive connections across the country. Trains between major cities are frequent, convenient and inexpensive, meaning most intercity passengers are already in the habit of taking the train.

Impact on travellers

The ban applies to three flight routes. Flights originating from Paris’ Orly Airport to Bordeaux, Lyon and Nantes have now been cancelled.

Passengers can, however, continue to get air connections to these regional capitals from Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport. Long-haul flights will also continue with these routes.

Alternatives to flights

1. Low-cost, high-speed Ouigo trains, start at just Eur10 from Paris to Lyon. These tickets offer the option of paying for a larger piece of luggage or an assigned seat.
2. Standard class on the regular high-speed TGV (inOui) trains offer better options for luggage and seating
3. First class regular TGV offer larger seats with extra legroom and more comfort
4. Some routes offer the night train - Intercité de Nuit - and slower trains called Intercités

Is this a permanent ban?

The implementation will reportedly remain under review during the initial phase of implementation and the European Commission will receive a report from the French government after 24 months. The EC approved the banning of flights on three routes, from an original request to ban a total of eight.

As per previous reporting, France had proposed domestic routes between Charles de Gaulle and Lyon, Rennes, Bordeaux and Nantes; and between Marseille and Lyon.

Source: Gulf Business

(Quotes via original reporting)