FRANCE has banned domestic flights for journeys possible in less than two-and-a-half hours by train, under a government decree published today.

Although the move was included in a 2021 climate law and already applied in practice, some airlines had asked the European Commission to investigate if it is legal.

The change will mostly rule out air trips between Paris and regional hubs such as Nantes, Lyon and Bordeaux, with connecting flights unaffected.

Critics have noted that the cutoff point for comparable train journeys is shy of the roughly three hours it takes to travel from Paris to Mediterranean port city Marseille by high-speed rail.

The law does specify train services on the same route must be frequent, timely and well-connected enough to meet the needs of passengers who would otherwise travel by air – and able to absorb the increase in passenger numbers.

People making such trips should be able to make outbound and return train journeys on the same day, having spent eight hours at their destination.

The government had already secured Air France’s compliance with the plan in exchange for a 2020 coronavirus financial support package.

Competitors are banned from simply filling the gap.

The step comes as French politicians debate ways to reduce private jet emissions.

While Green MPs have called for banning small private flights altogether, Transport Minister Clement Beaune last month trailed a higher climate charge for users from next year. – AFP, May 23, 2023.