T&E, Greenpeace and 10+ Organisations Call on the EU to Maintain the Law Promoting Alternatives to Short-Haul Flights - CleanTechnica

Transport & Environment (T&E), Greenpeace, and a coalition of over a dozen environmental organizations have urged the European Commission to retain Article 20 in the EU Air Services Regulation (ASR). This article, confirmed by the Commission’s 2022 implementing decision, supports limiting traffic rights on certain flights to address serious environmental concerns. The coalition argues that Article 20 is crucial for curbing aviation emissions growth during this pivotal decade for climate action, especially as industry stakeholders push to narrow its application ahead of the ASR revision. The groups present three key reasons for maintaining a strong and broad scope for Article 20: first, additional measures are essential to reduce emissions and control unchecked aviation growth; second, targeted flight restrictions are an effective, rapid tool to meet EU and national climate targets; and third, sustainable connectivity must integrate both air and rail transport, favoring cleaner alternatives where viable. They also emphasize respecting democratic processes and citizens’ initiatives, noting that countries like France and Spain have already adopted flight limitations as