Welcome to the concluding part of our sustainability in aviation series. So far, we’ve delved into the innovative strides the aviation industry is making towards sustainability, including fuel-efficient aircraft, sustainable fuels, and the role of carbon offsetting and green tickets. If you haven’t yet read the previous articles, we highly recommend catching up on Part 1 and Part 2.
Today, we’re switching tracks from flying high in the sky to gliding along the ground. It might seem unusual, but sometimes, the most sustainable choice isn’t to fly at all, but to take the train instead, especially for shorter distances. Interested? Let’s unpack this further.
When you think of travel between cities or even countries, your first instinct might be to book a flight. But hold on, have you considered taking a train? Particularly for journeys under 4 hours, train travel can be a faster, more efficient, and most importantly, more sustainable choice.
Consider this scenario: you need to travel from Paris to Amsterdam. The flight itself takes roughly 1.5 hours, but let’s add the time spent arriving early at the airport, going through security, waiting to board, collecting your luggage, and then traveling from the airport to the city center. Suddenly, that 1.5-hour flight doesn’t seem so quick.
Compare this to taking a high-speed train directly from city center to city center. You avoid all the airport-related time consumption and hassle. Plus, train stations are typically centrally located and well-connected to local transport, eliminating the need for that costly taxi ride from the airport.
But it’s not just about convenience and speed.
Choosing the train over short-haul flights can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. Air travel, especially over short distances, generates a substantial amount of carbon emissions. In contrast, high-speed trains, especially those running on electricity, are a much greener choice.
Numerous airlines and travel agencies are recognizing this and actively encouraging their customers to opt for rail over air where it makes sense. Some are even partnering with railway companies to offer combined tickets, making it even easier for you to make the sustainable choice.
Now, we’re not saying you should swap your transatlantic flight for a transatlantic cruise. But when it comes to shorter distances, consider trading your wings for wheels. Not only will you often get to your destination quicker, but you’ll also do our beautiful planet a huge favor.
We hope this series has enlightened you about the different ways the aviation industry is working towards sustainability, and how you can make more environmentally-friendly travel choices. Because every step – or train ride – counts towards a greener future. Safe and sustainable travels, dear reader!