HEALTHPLAN MAGAZINE

In a bid to reduce carbon emissions, Spain is contemplating a ban on short domestic flights where a train journey of less than two and a half hours could serve as a viable alternative.

This ambitious measure forms part of a political pact between the Spanish Socialists and the Sumar party. While the proposal is set to target a limited number of routes, it signals a significant step toward sustainability in the aviation sector.

Which routes could be affected?

The proposal takes aim at five specific routes: Madrid-Barcelona, Madrid-Malaga, Madrid-Valencia, Madrid-Alicante, and Madrid-Seville. However, exceptions may apply when passengers use these routes to connect to international flights in Madrid. These short-haul flights catered to over 3.5 million travellers in the previous year, primarily serving as connections for international journeys, particularly to Latin America and the United States for airlines like Iberia and Air Europa.

According to research by Mabrian and Phocuswright, 5,744 flights operated between Barcelona and Madrid in the past year, despite a 2.5-hour train option for the same journey. The study revealed that each air passenger generates approximately 40 kilograms of CO2 emissions, whereas rail travel on this route produces only 17.2 kilograms. This figure can be further reduced to 9.6 kilograms with renewable fuels. Air travel on this route alone generated 54,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions in the past year, a 132% increase compared to high-speed trains accommodating the same number of passengers, which would emit only 27,000 tonnes.

This initiative mirrors a similar measure implemented in France, although its overall success remains a topic of debate due to the limited number of affected flight routes and a smaller-than-expected reduction in emissions. France's approach focused on three routes from Orly airport, leaving the country's main airport, Charles de Gaulle, unaffected.

Balancing airport competitiveness and passenger preferences

Javier Gándara, President of the Airline Association (ALA), expressed concerns over the potential impact of such a ban, suggesting that passengers would opt for alternative hubs like Paris or London, eroding the competitiveness of Spain's Barajas Airport. Gándara emphasised the importance of offering an "intermodal" solution, where passengers have the flexibility to choose between trains and planes. Notably, he pointed out that high-speed train travel has already been gaining popularity, with 80% of citizens opting for trains on major routes, a trend expected to accelerate further with the liberalisation of high-speed train services and reduced fares.

Furthermore, Gándara stressed the significance of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as a critical tool for reducing emissions in the short and medium term. He advocated for better integration of trains with major airports and the promotion of SAF, which has the potential to cut up to 80% of emissions from the aviation sector.

It's important to note that even if the proposed ban on the five routes were implemented, it would represent a fraction of the total air travel in Spain. The 3.5 million passengers from these routes in the past year constitute less than 1% of the 240 million passengers who transited through Spanish airports in 2022. According to calculations by Ecologists in Action, this would only result in the elimination of about 1% of total emissions, equating to approximately 300,000 tonnes of CO2. The organisation is calling for the elimination of 51,000 air journeys, where train alternatives of less than four hours are available, to make a more substantial impact on reducing emissions.

Source: Sur in English