Upwards of 400,000 travelers a year journey the yellow arrows and scallop-shell markers along the Camino de Santiago.
Spain Asks Travelers to Take Trains Instead of Planes on Shorter Domestic Routes
08.03.2024 - 22:09 / afar.com / Airlines
If you’re headed to Spain, there’s a chance there may be more trains—instead of planes—in your itinerary.
The country’s coalition government recently announced a plan to ban certain short-haul domestic flights in destinations where an alternate trip via rail in less than 2.5 hours is available, according to Euronews, which first reported the development.
The proposed plan, part of Spain’s 2050 climate action plan to reduce carbon emissions, has a notable exception: connecting flights on international routes at hub airports. It follows a similar move in France that banned certain short-haul flights where an alternate train route is available, which took effect in 2023.
It’s not yet clear when the measures would be implemented or how many flights will be affected in Spain, where 9 percent of all greenhouse gases in the European Union originate. However, according to Politico EU, the goal is to focus on flights from cities like Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante, and Seville to Madrid, routes that are currently operated by Iberia, Vueling, and Air Europa.
The potential development has already garnered strong criticism from some government officials in Spain, who claim that the move would stifle business and commerce.
However, some industry experts don’t predict much disruption for leisure travelers.
“For most travelers, the impact of this is probably very low,” Seth Miller, an industry analyst and founder of aviation site PaxEx.Aero, tells AFAR. “In many cases, airlines are keeping flights in place even on the shorter routes to handle connecting traffic for passengers coming in from overseas. But if you are planning a multi-city trip once you’re in Spain and France, you may find yourself with fewer options to get between the cities once you’re there. Personally, I think it’s okay though, because the trains are generally a more pleasant experience.”
According to Euronews, the draft document by Spain’s two political parties—the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party and Sumar—could potentially also restrict private jet use. A 2023 report from Greenpeace claimed that more than 45,000 private jets departed from a Spanish airport in 2022, emitting a total of 243,000 tons of carbon dioxide—a whopping 92 percent increase from 2021. The report also said that 8 percent of all private flights in Europe depart from Spain.
Even though measures to ban certain short-haul flights might be viewed as largely symbolic, travelers are likely to see more initiatives focusing on sustainability as Europe moves toward its goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2050.
By 2026, the EU will phase out the free permits that it currently provides airlines in order to offset their dioxide emissions. As a result, airlines will have to pay for their
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