As to the severely growing capacity bottlenecks on European hubs, often a better integration of the various means of transportation is required. One goal is the linkage of high-speed train networks with airports.
Germany is considered to be a pioneer for the integration of air traffic and railways. Eleven of the major airports are connected to the railway network of Deutsche Bahn AG (DB). Four airports are linked with the long haul network of DB. The linkage of Frankfurt airport with the newly constructed route Cologne-Rhine/Main, which has been inaugurated in August 2002 is of particular importance. In 2003 the special service „AIRail“ jointly provided by Lufthansa, Deutsche Bahn and Fraport, has been started. This service allows passengers from Cologne and Stuttgart to check-in for their flights departing from Frankfurt on their station of origin.
The DLR organisational unit Air Transport and Airport Research have exemplarily analysed various aspects of intermodality on the newly constructed route Cologne-Rhine/Main and the AIRail-service. They include the analysis of shift-effects with regard to changes of the modal linkage, modelling of catchment area changes of Frankfurt Airport due to shorter access times as well as the analysis of processes with regard to passenger and luggage handling including identification of best practices. The analyses have revealed that beside the corresponding infrastructural preconditions attractive integrated products provided by the suppliers of transportation services are essential for the acceptance of intermodal services by the passengers. In Germany, diverse service programmes such as AIRail, Rail&Fly, which are provided in cooperation with airlines, Deutsche Bahn and package tour operators, mainly contribute to the big share of the railway with regard to access to German airports.
EXPERIENCES WITH ADVANCED AIR-RAIL PASSENGER INTERMODALITY - THE CASE OF GERMANY 11th ATRS World ConferenceBerkeley, 23rd June 2007 (Download Presentation PDF)
EXPERIENCES WITH ADVANCED AIR-RAIL PASSENGER INTERMODALITY - THE CASE OF GERMANY (Download Paper PDF)