6 February 2024: The REGI Committee has published [1] a study on regional connectivity, suggesting replacing short-haul flights with high-speed railways.

For this purpose, the EU Cohesion Policy should contribute to increasing support for the TEN-T network that effectively links regional accessibility gaps between EU major and medium-sized cities. The study suggests focussiing investment on improving railway networks and, in particular, high-speed rail services as a means to link EU large and medium cities and to replace short-haul flights.

In addition, it says there is a need for a focus on providing railway/metro/tram connections between existing international and regional airports in all EU capitals and main/medium-sized cities.