The climate commission set up by President Emmanuel Macron had originally suggested the scrapping of all flights between French destinations where an alternative direct train journey of fewer than four hours existed. But this was reduced in response to strong objections from certain regions and from Air France-KLM, which, like other airlines, has been badly hit by local and international Covid-19 restrictions on travel.

Industry Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher dismissed criticism from the aviation industry that a pandemic recovery was not the time to ban some domestic flights. She told Reuters news agency that there was no contradiction between the bailout and the climate bill.

“We know that aviation is a contributor of carbon dioxide and that because of climate change we must reduce emissions. Equally, we must support our companies and not let them fall by the wayside.”

 

The bill means the end of short internal flights from Orly airport, south of Paris, to Nantes and Bordeaux, among others, though connecting flights through Charles de Gaulle/Roissy airport, north of the French capital, will continue. The exact details of routes that will be halted will be published in the official decree.