The Era of Cheap Flights in Europe Could Soon Be Over if France Gets Its Way
With a vast rail network stretching across the continent, flying from one European city to another might seem pointless—at least, that's how the French government looks at it.
France's transport minister Clément Beaune spoke with Obs magazine about the country's plans to rein in short, low-cost airfare across Europe. In a time when the climate crisis is becoming increasingly dire, he said, $10 plane tickets just aren't feasible. To fight this, the government announced that it hopes to implement a minimum airfare price on the continent to eliminate low-cost flights that incentivize people to fly instead of take the train.
It comes just three months after the country introduced a law banning short-haul flights where a train route of 2.5 hours or less already exists. The latest plans seek to follow Germany's lead, as the country recently began allowing unlimited travel on any public transport, including intercity trains, for approximately $50 a month.
Beaune, according to Forbes, is hopeful that the new proposal will be put into place across the EU. The EU is considering increasing the tax on private jets, many of which fly over France on their way down to the Mediterranean, as well as a proposed aviation tax increase to meet carbon emission reduction targets.
Related: Are Cheap Airline Flights Less Safe?
It might be wishful thinking considering the EU would need approval from all member states, but in the past, it's shown support for such climate-saving measures. Several airlines appealed to the European court when France introduced its short-haul flight ban, viewing it as state support of the rail industry, but the judges ruled that the climate crisis qualifies as an exceptional circumstance to allow such a scheme. The ban could also serve as an example for other EU countries looking to put in regulations of their own to help push rail over air travel.
Better snatch up those Ryanair tickets before it's too late.
