External support study on the connectivity of major TEN-T airports by long-distance rail
Connectivity of major TEN-T airports by long distance trains will bring the EU closer together, advancing the decarbonization of transportation, and enhancing competitiveness and business productivity by reduction in the travel time, increase in the catchment areas, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution by providing a viable alternative to travel by air or road and bringing about a modal shift.
The overall objective of the study is to provide the European Commission with a robust assessment of the situation of the major EU airports in terms of their connectivity to the TEN-T network by rail long-distance, incl. HSR. The measures needed to enhance the rail usage and the main obstacles will also be identified. Furthermore, the study will analyse the investment gaps and priorities to enable the Commission to draw relevant conclusions in the context of the upcoming MFF, with a focus on the most important actions in terms of effectiveness.
The study should also serve as a reference document for national authorities, to inform their investment decisions (best practices).
The study will focus on at least 32 European airports:
• 20 airports above 12 million passengers averaged over the period 2021 until 2023,
• 10 airports below 12 million passengers but recently revealing strong demand growth,
• 2 or more newly planned airports (so far in Lisbon and Warsaw new airports have been identified).