The country of France has been cleared by the European Union to ban specific air travel routes from the Orly Airport near Paris.
France is continuing its policy efforts to limit commercial air travel by banning three major air routes—between Paris’s Orly airport and the French cities of Lyon, Nantes, and Bordeaux.
Ben Adler reports for Yahoo News on the latest developments in the country’s efforts to minimize air travel for short flights or where rail travel is available.
The policy, first proposed on the recommendation of a citizens' assembly, was cleared for adoption by the European Commission after opposition by French airports and airline lobbyists, explains Adler.
Planetizen has checked in with France and other countries in Europe as they limit air travel in favor of rail travel in the name of climate policy on several occasions over the years.
- Flight-Free Movement Grows in Europe (December 2021)
- Intercity High-Speed Rail Outlasts Italy's National Airline (October 2021)
- France to Ban Flights for Trips That Can Be Made by Train (April 2021)
- Train Travel Gains Popularity as 'Flight Shame' Trends in Europe (August 2019)
- French 'EcoTax' Targets Air Travel to Benefit Rail Network (July 2019)
Adler’s article, linked below, provides more information on where air travel fits into the overall climate change mitigation picture.
FULL STORY: France to ban some commercial flights to fight climate change
France to Ban Flights for Trips That Can Be Made by Train
One form of climate action gained major momentum in Europe over the weekend.
Flight-Free Movement Grows in Europe
A burgeoning movement known as 'flight shame' calls on travelers to avoid air travel when possible as a method of fighting climate change.
German Greens Want Domestic Air Travel to Be Obsolete by 2035
Alliance 90/The Greens, a political party in Germany, wants the country's domestic travel to shift completely to rail. Achieving that goal will require making air travel more expensive and rail travel cheaper and easier.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
USDOT Revokes Approval for NYC Congestion Pricing
Despite the administration’s stated concern for the “working class,” 85 percent of Manhattan commuters use public transit to enter the city.
Tiny House Villages for Addressing Homelessness: An Interview with Yetimoni Kpeebi
One researcher's perspective on the potential of tiny homes and owner-built housing as one tool to fight the housing crisis.
Preserving Altadena’s Trees: A Community Effort to Save a Fire-Damaged Landscape
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena Green is working to preserve fire-damaged but recoverable trees, advocating for better assessment processes, educating homeowners, and protecting the community’s urban canopy from unnecessary removal.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Investigation Reveals Just How Badly California’s Homeless Shelters are Failing
Fraud, violence, death, and chaos follow a billion dollar investment in a temporary solution that is proving ineffective.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research