Spain’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) has approved a ban on short-haul flights where alternative rail routes of less than 2.5 hours are available. The proposal was put forward by its coalition government comprised of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) and Sumar parties.
The plan excludes cases where a person is connecting at an airport with international links. PSOE member Arnau Ramirez said that the plan will also be enacted to ensure that Spain’s tourism is not impacted by the proposed ban.
Banning of short-haul flights had been mulled over in Spanish government since 2021. It is part of Spain’s wider Spain 2050 strategy that sets 50 milestones for 2050 to transform the country into a carbon-neutral and sustainable society.
Similarly, France passed a bill banning short-haul flights where train alternatives less than 2.5 hours exist in 2023.
Spanish congress approves short-haul flight ban
