France Implements Ban on Short-Haul Flights to Reduce Carbon Emissions

France has banned domestic short-haul flights when alternative train journeys exist, in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The law prohibits public internal flights between French destinations when a train journey of under 2 hours and 30 minutes is available. The flight substitution applies only when train travel "provides a satisfactory alternative service." The ban is a "global first that is fully in line with the Government's policy of encouraging the use of modes of transportation that emit fewer greenhouse gases."