Transport
Coronavirus-hit carmakers urge EU to pull legislative handbrake
Europe’s largest auto manufacturers have argued that the coronavirus outbreak will limit their ability to comply with EU rules aimed at cleaning up the sector’s carbon footprint.
Grounded virus flights could skew weather forecasts
Europe’s ability to predict the weather will suffer because of the coronavirus outbreak’s impact on aviation, a leading research institute warned this week, explaining that fleets of grounded aircraft mean forecasters have less meteorological data to work wit
Astronaut tips to survive lockdown: Talk, teamwork and treats
Stick to a daily routine, stay connected with family and treat yourself occasionally - those are some of the tips German astronauts gave for surviving lockdown during the coronavirus crisis, which they said was much like their time in space.
German government concludes ‘freight transport pact’ to ensure food supply
The German logistics industry and the food trade are taking joint measures to ensure food safety. However, problems still exist with seasonal workers need to work in the fields. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Bulgaria proposes to take over EU truck cargo, drive it to Turkey
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov will propose to EU leaders during their teleconference on Thursday (26 March) that his country would transship goods of trucks from EU countries going to Turkey. The alternative is that EU drivers would wait 14 days before being allowed to enter Turkey.
How to save airlines the right way
As the virus crisis continues to unfold, more and more airlines are grounding flights - some entirely. But carriers must take their responsibilities to society more seriously if they are to be given any public cash, insists William Todts.
Coronavirus slows US push to produce electric vehicle minerals
The coronavirus pandemic is hobbling US efforts to produce lithium, rare earths and other materials used in electric vehicles and high-tech equipment, dealing a blow to President Donald Trump’s plan to curb Chinese control of the strategic minerals sector.
MEPs join call for ban on live animal transport amid COVID-19 border delays
More than 40 members of the European Parliament have joined a coalition of NGOs calling for a ban on long-distance animal transport during the coronavirus crisis. They argue that the reintroduction of border controls has resulted in delays which risk affecting animal welfare and, by extension, human health.
Italy tries to prevent petrol pump virus shutdown
Italy’s government is trying to broker a deal to head off a move by petrol station operators to close down pumps on the country’s motorway network due to the coronavirus epidemic. In a statement on Tuesday (24 March), three operator...
‘Worst crisis ever’: Carmakers line up for recovery cash amid calls to go green
While European carmakers cry for help, environmentalists say public money aimed at helping the automotive industry recover from the COVID-19 crisis must be future-proof and geared towards green technologies.
Coronavirus redraws battle lines on airline emissions
European airlines crippled by the coronavirus have demanded lasting relief from environmental taxes - in a move that pits their immediate survival against longer-term emissions goals.
Freight jams unclogged, pollution down & F1 enters virus race
Welcome to EURACTIV’s weekly Transport Brief – your one port of call for all the news moving the world and much more!Editor's picks
F1 to join coronavirus fight as races are scrapped
Global motorsport Formula One is on hiatus because of the coronavirus outbreak but its best and brightest engineers are not: a new plan aims to harness their manufacturing know-how to build life-saving ventilators.
Keep on trucking: EU deploys ‘green lanes’ to unclog freight
The European Commission issued instructions on how to unclog bottleneck border crossings on Monday (23 March), with new ‘green lanes’ aiming to keep freight moving during the coronavirus outbreak. Hauliers were initially sceptical though.
Macron threatens UK entry ban in lieu of more stringent measures
French President Emmanuel Macron threatened to close France's border with Britain on Friday if Prime Minister Boris Johnson failed to take more stringent measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak, a French newspaper reported.
EU Council joins fight to bust coronavirus ‘ghost flights’
The European Council agreed on Friday (20 March) to waive EU 'use it or lose it' rules that obligate airlines to fulfil at least 80% of their airport take-off and landing slots in a calendar year. The member states want the rules put on ice longer than the Commission suggested.
Green Deal deserves a better Energy Taxation Directive in 2020, not years from now
Europe has a choice between getting a good taxation directive this year or waiting years for something not yet defined that may never win agreement. For the sake of climate progress, it should take its chances with what it has now, writes Jim Power.
Greece mulls banning all foreign flights from Sunday
The Greek government is seriously considering temporarily banning all foreign flights as of 22 March to halt the spread of the coronavirus, Greek media reported on Thursday (19 March).
Turkey shuts borders with Greece and Bulgaria amid coronavirus fears
The Turkish government has decided to close its rail and land border with Greece and Bulgaria amid fears over the coronavirus spread, AFP quoted Turkish media as saying.
EU moves to shore up passenger rights as virus plays havoc
The European Commission clarified on Wednesday (18 March) how the bloc’s passenger rights codex should work, in an attempt to alleviate the concerns of thousands of travellers and companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
Amid COVID-19 recession concerns, US aircraft tariffs come into effect
The Trump administration enacted its planned duty rate increase for aircraft imported from the EU on Wednesday (18 March), amid the continuing spread of COVID-19 and fears of a subsequent recession. These measures will increase the rate from 10 to 15%, particularly impacting Airbus.
UK mulls nationalising transport links during virus outbreak
Airlines, bus companies and train operators could be brought under public ownership by the UK government in order to preserve transport links during the coronavirus outbreak, a minister suggested on Tuesday (17 March).
Ghost-flight-busters, shutting up shop & coronavirus in space
Welcome to EURACTIV’s weekly Transport Brief – your one port of call for all the news moving the world and much more! This week: coronavirus updates, big changes in the auto world and space race problems.