The European Commission has given a first positive opinion on the French government's request to ban air connections on short domestic routes, on routes where travelers have an alternative offered by rail transport which guarantees the same trip in less than two and a half hours.

The decision comes after a year of negotiations and numerous appeals. The ban on short flights is contained in the "Climat et Résilience" (Climate and Resilience) law of 22 August 2021, targeted by the appellants because, according to them, it does not protect the freedom of enterprise of airlines , nor the right of consumers to choose between multiple services: train or plane.

These are the conditions identified by Brussels to ban the plane and favor the train: the railway connection will have to be guaranteed several times a day without changes; with return trips on the same route; frequently enough; at times suitable for passengers; with intervals between departure and return which allow the traveler to stay at least eight hours in the city of arrival.