The EU Commission wants to initiate a turnaround in traffic and is trying to shift short-haul flights to rail in a targeted manner. However, aviation should not “starve”, but subsidies for new, more environmentally friendly aircraft are also part of the program.

The EU's strategy envisages that by 2030 no more carbon dioxide should be produced when traveling under 500 kilometers. The aim is to shift air traffic to rail, but this project is a bit slow, because trains are shown to be free of carbon dioxide. This is nonsense, because from a global perspective, the vast majority of rail traffic is carried out with less environmentally friendly diesel locomotives. A very significant part of the traction current also comes from coal power. If there is no trend reversal in the drive of the locomotives and in the area of ​​the production of energy for the electric locomotives, there is only a shift in the location of the carbon dioxide emissions.

Another feature is that the Commission wants to try to introduce a kerosene tax in Europe. So far, however, there are obstacles based on age-old agreements. Now it is hoped that the future US President Joe Biden will be an ally to renew the old treaties. This would be a prerequisite for aviation fuel to be taxed on international flights. This is already possible today on domestic flights and is also practiced by many countries. Any remaining kerosene in the tank from a previous international flight must be cleared today.

In order to make aviation more sustainable, the EU Commission wants to provide 130 billion euros in funding every year. These can also be used to develop and purchase low-emission aircraft. The commission explicitly said that this was necessary because the airlines' funds have almost been used up due to the corona pandemic. In order to be able to implement the restructuring of this sector, certain financial aid is required. What the airlines will certainly not like: In the future, emissions trading is to be tightened, also for aviation companies.