Experiences with Advanced Air-Rail Passenger Intermodality – The case of Germany

Abstract

As capacity constraints at European hub airports have grown in recent years, policymakers often demand a better integration of different transport modes and cooperation between transport operators. One objective in this regard is a shift of short-haul feeder flights to high speed trains. However, different regulatory, operational and managerial constraints have rendered the cooperation between airlines and train operators rather difficult in the past. In Germany, a new approach was made with an innovative intermodal passenger service dubbed “AIRail”, which was created in 2001 with German long distance train operator Deutsche Bahn, network carrier Lufthansa and airport operator Fraport as cooperation partners. This paper explores general prerequisites for market success of intermodal services, as well as specific characteristics and advantages of the “AIRail” service, but also shortcomings and challenges that have been identified. Furthermore, the results of a case study on the impacts of high speed train services between Frankfurt and Cologne on air services between these cities are presented. Subsequently, the success of air-rail intermodality in Germany is evaluated from the perspective of transport providers, passengers and transport policy. Finally, prospects for the application of elaborate intermodal transport services on other city pairs in Germany are analysed, as well as the development of tools for intermodal packaging.

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