The European Commission has approved the French government's intention to limit short-haul flights on its domestic network. Its decision was published at the end of the week in the EU's Official Journal, and welcomed by the Minister in charge of the dossier. " M. Clément BeauneMinister for Transport, welcomes the decision of the European Commission which declares the draft decree implementing the ban on airlines when there is a an alternative of less than 2.5 hours by train ". At first sight, a simple decision, summed up in an equally simple press release, which is even in line with the Citizens' Climate Convention. In reality, the situation is more equivocal - falling short of the Convention's recommendations, even going as far as train journeys of less than 4 hours...
Above all, there is no mention whatsoever in the press release from the Ministry of the connecting flights of less than 2.5 hoursone of the main sticking points in the dossier, prohibited in form but not in fact. The Air France communication also considers that the European Commission's decision " doesn't change much "in services to its key airports. For although France is at the helm - Clément Beaune says he is ". proud that France leads the way in this area "However, it wanted to preserve Paris-CDG's status as a hub.
" The initial measure contained two exemptions for air services carrying a majority of connecting passengerswhich, according to the Commission's initial assessment, would have involved a risk of discrimination and distortion of competition between air carriers "emphasises the European text. It goes on to say: " Now that France has abolished these two derogations, concerns that they could lead to discrimination and distortion of competition between air carriers have been removed. ". The derogations would therefore be abolished and the risk removed. But then again, it's not all that simple...
Indeed, the passenger route that would today be marked out by a a "sudden" modal shift from air to rail to get to Paris CDG airport has toned down the measure for the time being. The main lines that are due to be cut will escape this decision, at least for a while. " Air links CDG-Lyon, CDG-Rennes and Lyon-Marseille do not currently fall within the scope of the measure because one or more of the conditions set out in Article 1 of the final draft decree have not (yet) been met "states the European text. " However, the French authorities indicate that these three routes may fall within the scope of the ban as soon as a rail operator has improved the conditions of its services (mainly in terms ofopening hours proposed) "he added.
As for the CDG-Bordeaux and CDG-Nantesthey "according to the explanations provided by the French authorities, do not and will not fall within the scope of the measure without a structural improvement in rail services. ". In short, there is nothing to prevent the abolition of these air services, which could theoretically be replaced by rail in less than 2.5 hours. If it's not Paris-CDG, it's not Paris Gare de Lyon... The merit of the European decision is that it paves the way for a new roadmap in terms ofintermodality. This is a roadmap that will now have to be passed on to SNCF and the rail companies, who need to extend the range of choices on the French rail network.
