France: Symbolic ban on domestic flights in effect

Under the guise of "climate protection", a ban on domestic flights has come into force in France, which is intended to take effect whenever there is a reasonably acceptable alternative by rail. Only three routes are affected for the time being, but these have been closed for over three years.

In the wake of state aid given to Air France-KLM, the French government said it must also enforce a ban on certain domestic flights. This does not only affect the group of companies mentioned, but all carriers. The ban that has now come into force prohibits domestic flights if there is an alternative by rail with a maximum travel time of 2,5 hours. As a result, only three routes are affected for the time being. However, these have been discontinued for more than three years for economic reasons. From Paris-Orly, the destinations are Bordeaux, Lyon and Nantes.