Long-term perspectives of intermodal integration at airports

Abstract

Encouraged by increasing urban expansion and soaring air traffic, connectivity between airports and other modes of transportation has become increasingly important. To mitigate airport congestion and better match customer demands, airport managers are exploring the intermodal integration of airports, particularly through the fostering of concepts such as air–rail integration. This paper studies external influences on intermodality and analyses the motivations of different stakeholders with respect to the integration of their infrastructure. Based on a survey at major airports worldwide, the paper elaborates on the current situation of intermodality at airports in Europe, Asia and the Americas. The results indicate that, even now, many airports still strongly depend on cars as the main access mode. To derive future trends in intermodal integration, the paper analyses potential developments under a changing environment. It thereby develops a framework and offers two polar scenarios. The analysis indicates that the importance of intermodality for the aviation industry is likely to increase, particularly that of air–rail integration, regardless of the chosen scenario.