MPs propose ban on internal French flights

Some short-haul flights within France would be cut under an amendment to the draft mobility law making its way through Parliament.

The amendment to the draft of the Loi d'orientation des mobilités is one of several intended to reduce carbon dioxide emissions that have been added.

It proposes banning flights between airports where an alternative rail link exists, as long as the rail journey in question would be no more than two hours and 30 minutes longer than the flight it replaces.

La France Insoumise MP François Ruffin, who supports the amendment and also proposes additional taxes on airline tickets and air fuel, said: "According to the civil aviation department's eco-calculator, a return flight from Paris to Marseille by plane emits 195 kg of CO2 per passenger.

"Maintaining air links under infusion through tax exemptions and other public support is ecologically and socially unfair," he added in a post on his website.

If adopted, the law could come into effect as early as 2021.

It also has the backing of former ecology minister Delphine Batho, who also told Journal du Dimanche that she was in favour of a ban of air travel advertising.