Spain joins ban-short-flight movement

Spain's governing coalition has agreed to action on a new law to ban short-haul flights where trains would serve as well, in a measure aimed at reducing carbon emissions. Similar laws are in effect in France and Germany.

Under the plan, once passed, flights that have rail alternatives of 2.5 hours or less, will be dropped, unless they are part of a connection to airports linking to international flights. The agreed version also allows exceptions where rail service is considered not up to par or where the action would affect Spanish tourism.

Opponents of the plan argue that it would not reduce emissions by much. An October report estimated that it would eliminate about 35% of domestic flights in Spain, but the international traffic exception is likely to reduce that effect because it will not apply to Spain's major international gateways at Madrid, Barcelona and Alicante.