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Air+HSR

Air+HSR

Status: Ongoing projectSector: PassengerProject reference: 2021/PAS/688

Project description

Despite their inherent competition, air and rail transportation have demonstrated a desire to synchronize and collaborate, aiming to provide integrated services within their respective industries.

In 1980, Zurich Airport led the way as one of the first European airports to connect to the national long-distance rail network. This initiative was soon adopted by other airports, including Frankfurt, Geneva, Amsterdam, and Paris.

In France, the introduction of TGV connections to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport significantly curtailed the need for domestic flights. Furthermore, the Lufthansa Express Rail Service, in collaboration with Deutsche Bahn, provides rail access to Frankfurt Airport from 27 cities. This service offers seamless train-to-flight connections through a unified ticketing system.

The integration of airports with the rail network is a crucial requirement for the core network corridors within the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), a development initiated by the European Union. However, there are still opportunities to further enhance the benefits derived from the coordination and cooperation between air and rail transportation. By doing so, we can maximize the advantages offered by both modes and contribute to sustainable mobility.

Project objectives

The main goal of this project is to analyse the current state of coordination and cooperation between air and rail transportation globally, with a particular focus on Europe, the USA, and China.

Using this analysis as a foundation, the project aims to devise feasible solutions to enhance coordination and cooperation in this area. These solutions could include improvements in service design, infrastructure enhancements, and potential regulatory changes under the supervision of the appropriate authorities.

Project structure

WP1 - Current state analysis WP2 - Customer journey experience WP3 - Optimization of service products WP4 - Solutions development WP5 - Development of customer journey programs WP6 - Synthesis

Project members · 4 members

  • SNCF
    Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français
  • SNCB/NMBS
    Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Belges
  • FS
    Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane SpA
  • DB AG
    Deutsche Bahn AG