BRUSSELS
- EU gives green light to France's request to cancel three short-haul routes to save CO2 emissions
and, at the same time, provide travelers with an adequate rail transport service.
The executive decision was published in the European Journal last Friday and the green light came after the Commission had expressed reservations in December last year - regarding possible distortions in competition - on the initial proposal by Paris.
According to France, the decision will lead to a total saving of 55 thousand tons of CO2 emissions.
The Commission, however, explained that the French initiative cannot include other routes than those listed in the decision: Orly-Bordeaux, Orly-Nantes, Orly-Lyon
.
"The negative effects of any restriction of traffic rights on European citizens and connectivity must be offset by the availability of alternative modes of transport at affordable prices, which are convenient and more sustainable", reads the executive decision which recalls how, according to the France, the cancellation of any air carrier on the three routes will lead to a total saving of 55,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.