Spain wants to ban short-haul flights if there is an alternative train journey that takes less than 2.5 hours on the same route. The proposal came from the ruling Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) and the left-wing Sumar party, which last month reached an agreement to form a progressive coalition government.

The initiative to restrict domestic flights is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions as part of Spain's 2050 climate action plan, and could affect flights from cities such as Alicante, Barcelona, Seville and Valencia to Madrid. However, the ban will not extend to connecting flights, using the capital as a hub for international routes.

Climate activists point out that this exception reduces the whole initiative to become "purely symbolic". Following the introduction of a similar ban in France in 2023, it turned out that by excluding connecting flights from the ban, it ultimately covered only three routes. The argument for the exception is that passengers could start choosing other European airports for connecting international flights.

It is not yet known whether the ban will come into force. The coalition between PSOE and Sumar is not enough to build a parliamentary majority, Euronews reports. Support is needed from smaller regional parties, including Catalan separatists. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has until 27 November to build a majority. Otherwise, Spain will hold new elections in January 2024.

Source: euronews.com