Spain is preparing to ban short-haul flights when a train is available—and that may include private jets

Europe's fight to curb CO2 emissions is increasingly being take to the continent's skies. Now one of its biggest economies, Spain, is following France in an attempt to curb the impact of polluting aircraft. Under an agreement struck by Spain’s coalition government, the country is pushing to ban domestic plane routes where passengers are instead able to take a train in less than two and a half hours. It could affect routes for several major Spanish airlines, and maybe even the country's fleet of gas-guzzling private jets. However, critics argue specific clauses in the ban would mean it had little effect while hurting Spain’s competitiveness, and leaves the country on a war path with its airlines and its money-stretched citizens. Spain’s proposal, which was first brought to the table last year, is a clear statement of intent as the country aims for net zero emissions by 2050. The country has invested heavily in high-speed rail infrastructure for the last few decades, meaning a 2 ½ hour train will go further than in many other countries. Air links connecting the capital Madrid to major cities like Barcelona, Valencia, and Alicante are all geographically in the firing line. A study carried out by the environmental group Ecologistas en Acción suggests a full implementation of the ban would affect 3m people and almost 21,000 flights, local publication 20 Minutos reported.<br/>