The decision was announced on Friday. France is also restricting the use of private jets for short trips in a bid to make transport more environmentally friendly.
Transport Minister Clément Bonnet said the country could no longer tolerate the ultra-rich using private jets while society suffered deprivation to deal with the energy crisis and climate change. France has now officially been given the green light.
When the measures were first announced last year, they were contested by the Union of French Airports (UAF) as well as the European branch of the Airports Council International (ACI Europe). This prompted an in-depth investigation by the European Commission into whether or not the plan could be implemented.
An article in the European Air Services Regulation states that a Member State may “in the presence of serious environmental problems limit or deny the exercise of air traffic rights when other modes of transport provide a satisfactory service”.
The commission gave its approval on Friday, marking the first time an EU member state has invoked the article.
The ban on short-haul flights will be valid for three years, after which the Commission will have to review it.
“This is a big step forward in the policy to reduce harmful emissions,” said Transport Minister Bonet in a press release. “I am proud that France is a pioneer in this field,” he added, quoted by Euronews.
Which routes will be affected by France’s flight ban?
Initially, the ban will only affect three routes between Paris and Nantes, Lyon and Bordeaux, on which there are real rail alternatives. If rail services improve, more routes could be added, including between Paris, Lyon and Rennes, as well as journeys between Lyon and Marseille. They now do not meet the criteria for a ban, as trains to Paris and Lyon airports do not allow passengers to arrive early in the morning or late in the evening.
Others – such as the routes from Paris to Bordeaux and Nantes – are not included because the journey time is more than the permissible 2.5 hours.
Connecting flights will also have to comply with these new rules.
When will France’s flight ban come into effect?
The measures must be subject to public comment and be considered by the Senate, explains Bone. He added that this would be done “as quickly as possible”.
Will France Ban Private Jets Completely?
Private jets are causing outrage after recently published data on how often and how short distances celebrities and billionaires travel. A plane belonging to Steven Spielberg burned through €117,000 worth of fuel in two months this summer.
A report by the European Clean Transport Federation Transport and Environment (T&E) states that private jets pollute up to 14 times more than commercial flights per passenger kilometer and 50 times more than trains. Despite calls from activists, France is unlikely to impose a total ban on planes.
The most likely measures to be introduced are heavy taxation and restrictions. For greater transparency, companies could be forced to publish detailed information about the use of corporate jets.
It is not without reason that France seeks to limit air travel. According to the latest data, the country has the largest number of private jets in Europe, which often fly to Paris and the French Riviera.
As part of President Macron‘s call for “collective sobriety” in energy use, French citizens are also being encouraged to replace their cars with electric bicycles. Low-income households in low-emission zones can receive a maximum of €4,000 in subsidies.
The goal is for 9% of the country’s population to use bicycles by 2024, compared to the current share of 3%.