Spain plans to ban short-haul flights

4 March 2024: Spain’s coalition government has struck an agreement which includes a ban on domestic air routes where passengers are able to take a train in less than two and a half hours instead. The restriction includes an exception for connections with hub airports that link with international routes, but flights from Valencia, Barcelona, Seville and Alicante to Madrid may come under the radar.

The country has been considering a ban since 2021 as part of its 2050 climate action plan, but there is a risk that routes will be replaced by longer, more polluting flights, in addition to the emissions due to the increase in road or rail trips.

The text also seeks to analyse the potential impact of restricting private jet fuels and a European Union directive on taxing energy products, including kerosene which is used as an aviation fuel.