Coming Up Short (Haul)?

Leo Murray makes some interesting points in the wake of the news that France is to curb some of its short haul domestic flights (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/13/france-ban-short-domestic-flights-britain-air-travel). Murray firstly points out the French curbs don't go as far as are really needed (and there is wriggle room). He contrasts the French response with that of the UK. Murray feels that post-pandemic is a good time, to rethink the future of air travel. He notes that, even before the pandemic, 50% of flights were regarded as 'unneccessary'. Murray suggests that domestic flights, in small countries, are generally the least neccessary. A jet plane's 'greenhouse gas' emissions are highest on take-off and landing. This means that, on a kilometre of travel basis, short-haul flights produce 70% more emissions than long-haul equivalents. Murray (and many other authorities) are also unconvinced by the aviation industry's claim that technological fixes will produce 'jet zero' (a situation, where air travel doesn't add to nett atmospheric carbon release). In the UK, there are 500,000 short-hop flights per year between Manchester and London. This journey takes only 2 hours by train and generates one sixth of the emissions (sounds like a 'no-brainer', especially given what the government are spending on the HS2 train link). Similar calculations can be made for other domestic flights in Britain (e.g. London to Cornwall). The UK Treasury is, however, apparently thinking of halving Air Passenger Duty (a tax) on domestic flights. It is argued that it is 'unfair' for both legs of domestic travel to be classed as outbound flights and to attract the tax. The cut would make short haul flights, in the UK, even cheaper. There would be more damaging emissions. Murray, suggests the Treasury should alternatively be thinking about a Frequent Flier Levy, the scrapping air miles schemes and the banning of private jets. None of these seem at all likely. And this is the country, chairing COP26!