Rail Infrastructure at Major European Hub Airports: The Role of Institutional Settings

Abstract

This paper compares different approaches to intermodality. The authors argue that the development of rail networks around the world is directly linked to the development of cities. Large airports generate demand which is often even larger than city centers. Big airports are ideal places for developing railway services. Nevertheless, the connection of the world’s larges airports to the rail network is a recent development. The different degrees of rail development at airports that are big enough to justify investments in rail infrastructure are very context-specific. In terms of intermodal policies and more specifically rail services at airports, the cases of Schiphol (seamless intermodality) and Heathrow (limited intermodality) represent two extremes. The case of Charles de Gaulle (Paris) illustrates and intermediate position. These three cases are presented and compared in this paper. The authors conclude that in countries with large airports and a developed rail network, airports should be a stop on the main rail lines and it is helpful to recognize large airports as cities.