Local officials in the central French town of Nevers have hailed the beginning of a "flying doctor" service aimed at compensating for a shortage of healthcare workers. The eight doctors that arrived Thursday usually make the journey from Dijon by train. By flying, however, their commute is cut down from two hours and 15 minutes to 35 minutes. Philippe Cordier, Nevers deputy mayor in charge of health said the new travel arrangements, funded by the hospital, could "save money". However, the move has come under fire from environmental activists, who say a plane trip emits "1,500 times more" greenhouse gas than that of a train. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES ARRANGED IN SEQUENCES