As the climate crisis continues to worsen, domestic flights seem like an anachronism – expensive for the environment and unnecessary in a country with one of the best-developed rail networks in Europe. Instead of calling for new subsidies, the aviation industry must finally deliver: real innovation, real emissions reduction and real solutions.
A commentary by Jan Nintemann and Jochen Siegle; Photo: Ross Parmly via Unsplash
The debate about the future of our mobility is gaining urgency due to the escalating climate crisis. Especially in this context, domestic flights – within Germany – increasingly seem like a mere relic of times gone by.
The arguments against it are solid and overwhelming: The rail network is excellently developed, train connections exist and are often more comfortable – which is why no one should seriously have to choose the climate-damaging route via air for domestic connections.
Why the train has long been a real alternative
- Studies show that air travel on short domestic routes (under approx. 600 km) is up to seven times more harmful to the climate than train travel.
- Years ago, it was determined that shifting flights to rail would make millions of air journeys unnecessary.
- In fact, the volume of domestic flights is decreasing: Many direct connections have been cancelled, especially outside the major hubs such as Frankfurt or Munich – the network for regional and medium-sized cities has been thinned out.
So, if a well-functioning rail infrastructure exists, as it does in our case, domestic flights are simply unnecessary. In view of the climate crisis, it is madness to continue accepting them as normal.
Why subsidies for domestic flights are the wrong approach
The aviation industry is struggling for its future. Some are calling for government aid to revive lost routes. But that would be the wrong way to go. Subsidies would continue to favor a climate-damaging form of mobility – instead of consistently focusing on climate-friendly alternatives. The argument that domestic flights are “economically indispensable” does not hold water in a country with a dense rail network.
Rather, the aviation sector itself must become creative: rethink demand, adapt the business model – and drive real innovation. Because we have been waiting for years for promises such as sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and hydrogen aircraft. Constantly hoping for government grants is not enough: innovation and climate responsibility must go hand in hand.
Invitation to manufacturers: Innovation instead of subsidization
For the upcoming TransformIT Europe trade fair & conference in May 2026 in Brussels, we understand these principles as a guiding theme: We expressly invite manufacturers and developers of sustainable flight technologies – SAF, hydrogen propulsion, low-emission aircraft. Let’s discuss realistic, sustainable mobility concepts instead of relying on government bailout packages for climate-damaging flight routes.
We are excited about ideas – and concrete initiatives. Because one thing is clear: Anyone who still relies on domestic flights today is missing out on the mobility of the future.
See you in Brussels for TIE!
Source and links
- https://www.co2online.de/klima-schuetzen/bahn-oder-flugzeug-der-vergleich/
- https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/2546/publikationen/200609_uba_sp_2-2019_engl-web.pdf
- https://www.lufthansa.com/co/de/discover-lufthansa/carbon-offsetting/faq-saf.html
- https://aviation.direct/en/luftverkehr-in-deutschland-zwischen-stagnation-und-struktureller-herausforderung
