In a landmark climate move, France has enacted a ban on short domestic flights that can be replaced by train journeys under 2.5 hours. The law, effective from June, affects routes like Paris–Lyon and Paris–Bordeaux and is aimed at cutting aviation emissions.
The policy is being hailed by environmentalists and is likely to set a precedent in Europe. Meanwhile, South Asian countries like India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, which have emerging aviation sectors, are watching the development closely.
India, with its expanding Vande Bharat and semi-high-speed trains, may also consider similar carbon-reducing strategies in future transportation planning.
