The rail industry is not for away in hitting the aircraft speed and expected to give a tough competition specially to single-aisle aircraft industry. As we know there is huge demand for single-aisle aircrafts (80–180-seater capacity). Out of 38050 total requirements nearly 27000 single-aisle aircrafts are required from now and 2034. Aviation industry currently represents 2 percent of total manmade CO2 emissions, 80 percent of which is from flights over 1500 km for which there was no practical alternative. 

Roughly ten percent of all types of aircraft emissions, except hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide, are produced during ground-level and LTO (landing and takeoff) cycle operations. LTO operations have a significant contribution to an airport’s GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emission which is quite harmful to the population living surrounding airport regions. 

This has become major problem in many developed countries — even large ones. It is not so easy politically, as well as physically, to find the space for new runways at airports that historically have been sited relatively close to busy cities, with the entire infrastructure close by, serving not only passengers and freight operators but also the thousands of people who actually work at and supply the day-to-day needs of those airports. At such hubs, and as mega-cities become a reality, land is at a premium.

Apart from the speed, other key parameters are travel time, frequency and money spent on travel. Many studies have been carried out in Europe and reports say that environmental impact from an aircraft industry is comparatively much higher compared to the rail industry. Travel time and frequency are almost close, and cost looks to be an advantageous factor for the rail industry.

 “Sweden has invented a word to encourage people not to fly. And it’s working. Sweden’s departure lounges are looking less crowded as more Swedes are deciding to take the train rather than fly.

Passenger numbers at Swedish airports have dropped 8% so far this year. As the full extent of climate change becomes ever more apparent, fewer Swedes are willing to travel in a way they see as harmful to the environment. Nowadays they prefer to take the train, even for long journeys.

Contrary to this, our government is encouraging domestic flight service thru UDAN scheme I feel which needs to be re looked