Greenpeace is proposing to the European Union a ban on short-haul flights where the train journey takes less than 6 hours. These specific routes cause a quarter of the pollution generated by aviation.
The measure would affect travel between nearby cities, such as Madrid and Barcelona, or even Bucharest and Iasi. Aviation experts believe such a measure would be inefficient. Furthermore, people should have options to choose from. In a country like Romania, train travel is still to be avoided on many routes.
Environmentalists from Greenpeace believe that by 2037, global air traffic will double, and the pollution produced by aircraft will increase significantly. This follows the trend of the last 10 years, during which greenhouse gas emissions have increased by nearly 30%.
To reduce pollution, environmental activists propose banning certain flights. This refers to air routes of up to 1,500 km. These flights are said to cause 25% of all pollution produced by aircraft.
The proposal refers to air routes that can be replaced by trains taking less than 6 hours. Environmentalists say that 34% of air routes in the European Union could be banned.
In Romania, environmentalists are particularly targeting domestic routes. We are talking about Bucharest – Iasi, Bucharest – Bacau, or Bucharest – Suceava flights. These air routes also have rail alternatives, environmentalists say. This would involve trains that take up to 6 hours. Other routes, to Cluj, Timisoara, or Oradea, are out of danger, as the Romanian train system is far too slow. For now, airlines and the European Commission have not commented on Greenpeace’s proposals. The European Union already has a strategy until 2030 through which it aims to reduce pollution on routes operating over distances of up to 500 km.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Greenpeace proposing regarding short-haul flights?Greenpeace is proposing an EU-wide ban on short-haul flights where a train alternative exists that takes less than 6 hours.
Which Romanian flight routes could be affected?The proposal targets domestic routes like Bucharest-Iasi, Bucharest-Bacau, and Bucharest-Suceava, where rail travel is under 6 hours.
Why are routes like Bucharest-Cluj not included in the proposal?Routes to Cluj, Timisoara, or Oradea are currently excluded because the Romanian rail infrastructure is too slow to provide a sub-6-hour alternative.