Photo competition

SPANISH airlines have swiftly dismissed the possibility of Spain implementing a law similar to France’s ban on short­haul flights after the law came into force in the neighbouring nation on Wednesday, May 24.

The pioneering measure, aimed at reducing carbon emissions by promoting train travel over regional flights, has been met with scepticism by the Spanish aviation industry. Spanish airlines argue that enforcing a comparable restriction would be unfeasible and ineffective.

The Association of Airlines (ALA) contends that eliminating flights under 500 kilometres or two hours would result in only a marginal reduction in emissions, of around 1 per cent.

Furthermore, airlines believe such a ban would have severe consequences for the aeronautical sector and tourism, vital for the country’s economy and employment. They argue that imposing additional taxes or flight restrictions would hamper Spain’s competitiveness and negatively impact livelihoods.

Commentators have also highlighted the disparity in rail infrastructure between Spain and France, which is thought to have more options in terms of long distance rail travel.

The environmental impact of domestic flights remains a topic of debate in Spain as they strive to strike a balance between the environment, economy, and tourism sector.

BUDDING photographers will be pleased to hear that for the fourth consecutive year, the National History Museum in Madrid is organising a photography competition open to anyone over the age of 18.

Entitled Next Station: Madrid, the theme of the competition is any type of image related to public transport in the city: vehicles, platforms, stops, passengers and stations, etc.

Madrid is a city with a very extensive and efficient transport network that links all parts of the city and its periphery. In addition, the Museum has many photographs from other periods in its collection that document the history of these means of transport, and this competition thereby becomes another tool for continuing to tell that story.

Each entrant may submit a maximum of three photographs on the website www.madrid.es.

The deadline for submitting photographs is Sunday June

11 at 11.59pm.

Forty finalist photographs will be selected and will receive a diploma and a Museum catalogue. The finalist photos will also be publicised on the Madrid City Council