The debate over banning short‑haul flights has been gaining momentum for years. The idea that trains could replace short air trips for environmental reasons has moved from theory to real policy in recent times. France took a bold step last May as the first European country to implement such a ban, sparking discussions across many nations and prompting a wave of studies weighing the pros and cons. In Spain, the aviation sector has already sounded the alarm and prepared for possible shifts in travel patterns.
Recent research from Ecologistas en Acción suggested that cancelling eleven airlines that offer journeys under four hours, paired with viable train alternatives, could cut CO2 emissions from Spain’s domestic routes by about 10 percent, though this would represent roughly 1.4 percent of total emissions from national air transport compared with the overall commercial aviation sector, according to the study published this week.
Airlines have consistently argued against outright bans. They advocate intermodal travel that lets passengers choose their mode of transport. The aim is to connect major hubs with high‑speed rail so travelers can combine train journeys to large airports and then fly to destinations, potentially at similar costs for longer trips.
AVE lines from cities to major airports are seen as key infrastructure. Industry voices say they do not support bans but want seamless intermodal options. The idea is to link high‑speed networks directly to Madrid Barajas and Barcelona El Prat, enabling passengers to pair train and air travel for longer journeys. The goal is to preserve affordable options and maintain efficiency for travelers heading to distant destinations.
Railway companies and airlines have long argued for stronger links to Barajas. They note that a handful of high‑speed services per hour could replace some shorter air routes, but estimates from Iberia, the country’s largest airline at Madrid airport, imply that eight to ten trains per hour would be necessary to substitute all affected air routes. Such capacity levels may not be achievable before the end of the decade.
Looking ahead to 2026, when a direct high‑speed connection to Barajas is expected to arrive (the airport currently connects mainly to the Cercanías network), initial service levels are projected at one to two high‑speed trains per hour. Industry analysts say this would not fully replace short flights at the outset.
High‑speed rail already dominates major routes
Spain’s rail market has expanded quickly, with liberalization and new private operators challenging Renfe. Trains from Madrid to Barcelona already capture a large share of the market, with roughly eight in ten passengers choosing rail on that corridor. The Madrid‑Valencia route sees rail capture around ninety percent, while Madrid to Alicante, Malaga, and Seville climbs above seventy‑five percent.
As high‑speed rail grows, passenger transfers from air to rail have become more common. Yet a portion of travelers still fly from secondary hubs to connect to other destinations. Critics warn that banning short flights could push passengers toward longer European hops or create inefficiencies for connecting trips, potentially increasing emissions if travelers choose circuitous routes.
Industry voices stress that intermodal experiences should feel as seamless as current flight connections. Some suggest cost considerations could be managed through fuel‑cost strategies or alternative energy integration. The goal is to encourage non‑zigzag routes and smarter airspace management while pursuing decarbonization, without sacrificing traveler convenience.
2023 milestone
Airlines have been navigating a post‑pandemic recovery, even as global tensions add uncertainty. The industry association projects that Spanish airports may surpass pre‑pandemic records, with passenger volumes approaching the 275 million mark reached in 2019. This optimism comes despite geopolitical worries in Europe and the Middle East.
Summer traffic shows a continued rebound, with domestic and international flights regaining momentum and overall capacity rising. Airlines have prepared winter offerings that aim to maintain steady growth, while occupancy rates remain a critical marker of recovery, reflecting a resilient travel sector as markets adapt to new travel patterns.