Antwerp University Staff Banned From Flights With Train Alternative

Simple Flying

By Linnea Ahlgren

Published Jan 16, 2023

The move to have employees take trains where the journey is under eight hours is part of the institution's work to lower its environmental impact.

Photo: Ollyy/Shutterstock

Antwerp is making the Simple Flying news twice in one day, which is not bad for a city of just over half a million people. Earlier today, we reported on the new route once more linking Antwerp Flanders International Airport with London City, operated by Luxembourg's flag carrier Luxair. However, the staff of the University of Antwerp will not be able to enjoy the service - at least not while on official university business. In a drive to lessen the impact of travel in the name of academia on the environment, employees are now forbidden from flying to where a train connection can be made in under eight hours.

Trend of cutting short-haul air travel

By now, most are familiar with the intent of several European governments to cut airline routes where train connections can be made in under two and a half or three hours (although, of course, as in the case of France, there is some leeway when it comes to protecting state-owned national airlines from international competition). Some argue that this does not make much sense, as short-haul travel, while decidedly not blameless, is not the largest culprit when it comes to aviation's climate impact.

Furthermore, some say these are precisely the types of routes that will drive innovation in decarbonization before it can be translated to medium and long-haul air travel. Therefore, banning short-haul flights would be to shoot oneself in the foot if the long-term goal is a fossil-free aviation industry.

Nonetheless, companies and organizations are, and rightly so, concerned with lowering their carbon footprint right now. And thus, flights to places like Hamburg, Marseilles, London, and Manchester are now off the cards for the traveling academics of Antwerp.

Photo: Niradj/Shutterstock

Pre-made list for departures from Antwerpen-Centraal

Even journeys upwards to ten hours are encouraged to be undertaken by train, for instance, traveling to Barcelona, Turin, or Bern, reports The Brussels Times. If the journey requires a stopover overnight, a flight can be considered for the way back. Certain exceptions can also be made, although it is unclear on which grounds.

The University said it has worked with a travel agency to help determine which destinations can be reached from Antwerp within the time frame to compile a list for its employees and further stated,

“A plane trip weighs seven to eleven times more on the environment than the same trip by train. And the difference is still great over short travel distances, less than 700 kilometers."

airplane in sky between trees — Photo: DG Stock/Shutterstock

The rector of the university, Herman Van Goethem, also told the Brussels Times that the decision marked an important step in reducing the environmental impact of the educational institution. He further commented,

“We encourage our employees to attend conferences or online courses. But of course, personal contact remains important and physical presence often has added value. Sometimes, it is also necessary.”