France’s decision to ban short-haul domestic flights for environmental reasons was a world first that made headlines around the globe – but how many flights will the new rule actually ban?
The French government announced its domestic flight ban back in 2021, but it has been back in the news after the European Commission ruled in France’s favour following a challenge by airport associations.
This clears the way for other European countries to bring in similar rules, as part of climate-based efforts to limit flights and persuade travellers to take green alternatives.
What does the new rule say?
The new policy doesn’t ban all domestic flights – only those between destinations that can be reached by train in less than two-and-a-half hours.
So how many flights does this ban actually affect? At present, just three.
How much difference will this make to France’s carbon footprint?
Research carried out at an EU level suggests that it won’t make a huge difference, with short-haul (less than 500km) flights accounting for just six percent of airplane fuel used within the Bloc.
Long haul-flights (over 4,000km) account for just six percent of flights taken, but 47 percent of fuel burned.
What about private planes? …
More details in the link: https://www.thelocal.com/20221213/explained-how-does-frances-domestic-flight-ban-really-work/
Reduce Carbon Emissions Programs & …
Planes, trains, ferries and even roads look set to be affected by UK strike action, while French rail and airline unions have also filed strike notices.
The British actions come in the context of widespread industrial action from nurses to postal workers, train drivers to border guards, all of whom are striking to win pay rises above the rate of inflation that will help them cope with the spiralling cost of living.
Eurostar
UK-based security staff will walk out on December 16th, 18, 22nd and 23rd. The UK’s RMT union is also taking strike action between December 24th and 27th.
The Eurostar will be running fewer services than usual on December 23rd and 24th and has cancelled several services and changed the times of others – anyone with a pre-booked train is advised to check the website.
Network Rail strikes have closed UK rail lines, so the Eurostar will be running no services at all on December 26th.
For more details, please click on the link: https://www.thelocal.com/20221212/everything-you-need-to-know-about-how-strikes-will-affect-france-uk-travel-this-christmas/
Passengers arriving to Lebanon Must:
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Hong Kong (CNN Business)Airlines based in North America, Europe and Asia are canceling flights to China as authorities there seek to contain the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus.
…Some entire countries e.g. Switzerland and Kazakhstan, Austrian Alps have warmed by 2C. The percentage of the globe exceeded 2C.
Extreme warming is fuelling wildfires in Alaska, shrinking glaciers in the Alps, melting permafrost across Canada’s Northwest Territories – i.e. altering marine ecosystems …
It is making already hot places in the Middle East unbearable for outdoor workers and altering forests, lakes and rivers in the United States. It has thawed the winters of New England and transformed the summers of Siberia.
Link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/national/climate-environment/climate-change-world/?wpmk=1&wpisrc=al_news__alert-world–alert-national
This year’s peak holiday travel season—from Thanksgiving through Christmas—might just be messier than usual. That’s because of the additional delays to the return of the Boeing 737 Max, which U.S. airlines were predicting to return in early November, and a scramble for carriers to reroute and rebook passengers on impacted flights.
Two major domestic airlines recently pushed the Boeing 737 Max off their schedules even further: American Airlines announced it will push the 737 Max off its schedule until December 3, and United Airlines says the aircraft now will not return to operations until December 19.
For American, this means about 140 canceled flights each day, while United says roughly 2,800 flights will be canceled in the month of November and about 1,700 from December 1 to 19. All Boeing 737 Max planes have been grounded worldwide since March, after 346 people were killed during two fatal Max plane crashes, on Indonesia’s Lion Air in October 2018 and Ethiopian Airlines in March 2019.
Link: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/as-the-boeing-737-max-stays-grounded-holiday-travel-may-get-more-expensive
Norwegian Air, make-or-break financial moment
Norwegian Air Shuttle is once again facing a make-or-break financial moment. The low-cost airline’s major cash shortage has it looking to bondholders to bail it out of dangerous financial waters. Industry experts say Norwegian‘s future likely hangs in the balance.
“They are managing the crisis as best they can, but they are on the verge of a cliff edge,” analyst Daniel Roeska told CNN.
In an effort to scrape together more cash before its slower winter season, the budget transatlantic carrier asked bondholders on Monday for up to a two-year extension in repaying two bonds about to reach maturity, which total about $380 million. As collateral, Norwegian is even offering up its landing slots at London’s Gatwick Airport, a key element of its transatlantic business. If bondholders accept the revised debt plan, the airline will have until November of 2021 and February of 2022 to pay, rather than being forced to ante up this December and next August.
Link: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/norwegian-air-is-taking-last-ditch-measures-to-avoid-bankruptcy
Aigle Azur
The French airline Aigle Azur has announced that it will file for bankruptcy and enter into receivership. This is following a recent dispute between the airline’s shareholders. The airline also confirmed that it was facing financial troubles in August, with a debt totaling around 40 million euros.
Link: https://aeronauticsonline.com/aigle-azur-to-file-for-bankruptcy/#targetText=The%20French%20airline%20Aigle%20Azur,totaling%20around%2040%20million%20euros.
Travel Alert: Italy
| C | 23 Sep | STRIKE – Some Alitalia personnel will be on strike September 23 from 00:01 to 24:00. Please check with your ticket office whether this will affect your flight. Details |
| C | 22 Sep | STRIKE – Lombardy – Personel of Trenord, a company responsible for the operation of regional passenger trains in Lombardy, will stage a 23-hour strike from 3 am on September 22. Details |
| C | 6 Sep | STRIKE – Milan – Cobas union has announced a four-hour transport strike on September 6. The industrial action will affect metro, bus and tram services in Milan. Details |
| C | 6 Sep | STRIKE – Milan – Some airport personnel in Milan Airports on strike September 6 for 24 hours, from 00:00 to 23:59. Check with your ticket office whether this affects your flight Details |
| C | 27 Jul – 27 Oct | AIRPORT – Milan Linate Airport – Milan Linate airport is to close from July 27 until Oct 27, 2019, to allow for renovation works. Majority flights to be re-routed to Milan Malpensa Airport. Details |
| I | 26 Jul – 6 Sep | STRIKE – UPDATE- A 24-hour strike by Alitalia pilots and flight attendants has been put off from July 26 until September 6. Details |
Travel Alert: Strikes in France
| 16 Sep | PROTEST – Paris – Pilots and flight attendants from across France are being urged to take part in a mass demonstration in Paris on Sep 16 to protest against pension reform plans. Details |
| 1 Sep – 15 Oct | STRIKE – The Union of Airline Pilots of Transavia France announced the filing of a strike notice, for the period from September 1 to October 15. Details |