Study Suggests That Spain Could Join France In Banning Short-Haul Flights
Spain News
Published: 12 June 2023 15:33 CET
In a groundbreaking move last month, the French government took a decisive step toward reducing carbon emissions by banning all short-haul domestic flights that could easily be replaced by train travel. This initiative has set a significant precedent in the fight against climate change, prompting other European countries, including Spain, to consider similar measures that have long been under discussion.
One particular air corridor under scrutiny is the Barcelona-Madrid route, which has gained attention due to a recent study revealing that flights produce over twice the amount of harmful emissions compared to high-speed rail journeys covering the same distance.
According to a comprehensive research report by travel experts Mabrian and Phocuswright, a staggering 5,744 flights have operated between Barcelona and the Spanish capital in the past year, despite the fact that a train can complete the journey of merely 630 kilometres in approximately 2.5 hours.
Furthermore, when taking into account the additional time required to reach airports and the fact that airports are typically situated outside city centres, train travel often proves to be a more time-efficient door-to-door option compared to flying.
The study found that each air passenger contributes approximately 40 kilograms of CO2 emissions, whereas rail travel on the same route produces only 17.2 kilograms. This figure can be further reduced to 9.6 kilograms per person if renewable fuels are utilised.
Based on Mabrian's calculations, the total CO2 emissions generated by air travel on this route in the past year alone amounted to approximately 54,000 tonnes. This represents a staggering 132% increase in emissions compared to high-speed trains accommodating the same number of passengers, which would emit only 27,000 tonnes.
Interestingly, there are currently more rail operators offering services between Madrid and Barcelona than airlines. Moreover, with the average train ticket costing three euros less than a flight, choosing the train not only benefits the environment but also proves to be more cost-effective.
As rail operators in Spain continue to provide cheaper and more frequent routes, the future of the Barcelona-Madrid flight path appears uncertain. However, a separate study commissioned by airline Iberia aims to emphasise the economic value of short-haul flights. According to their estimates, these flights contributed 329 million euros to GDP in 2022 and created nearly 6,000 full-time jobs.
Iberia argues that domestic flights are vital for maintaining connectivity within Spain and abroad, while significantly contributing to wealth creation and employment in the country. They also assert that domestic flights account for less than 1% of Spain's total CO2 emissions, a percentage that continues to decrease annually due to investments in sustainable aviation and fleet modernisation.
Source
https://mabrian.com/blog/high-speed-rail-sustainability-barcelona-madrid-air-shuttle/
https://murciatoday.com/spain_could_soon_follow_france_and_ban_short_haul_flights_2163122-a.html
Image Credit: Mabrian
