We’re all for multi-modal shift where appropriate, so there is some good news, with Brussels Airlines and Deutsche Bahn launching a codeshare.
The move comes about with DB adding a stop on its Antwerp – Cologne service at Brussels Airport.
The first train of this new connection will depart from Cologne on 7th September at 06.11 am. The train will stop at Cologne, Aachen, Liege, Leuven and Brussels Airport. Afterwards, the train will continue to Antwerp. The ride between Cologne and Brussels Airport would take about 2 hours.
Noteably, there will be two trains a day that will operate on this route (ICE312, ICE310) that will operate directly on this route.
The train will be operated as a codeshare with Brussels Airlines. That means tickets for the route are also on sale via Brussels Airlines, via travel agents and all other sales channels of Brussels Airlines.
For passengers, the codeshare offers:
- A guaranteed connection
- Seat reservation in fixed carriage
- Status customers have access to the Deutsche Bahn lounges
- Miles accrual at Miles and More
- Ticket includes local transport in Germany
With Brussels Airlines Express Rail, passengers can connect smoothly in Brussels Airport on Brussels Airlines’ entire network. Passengers have one booking for their entire journey, a guaranteed connection in case of delays and can accumulate miles via the Miles and More program.
In Quotes
Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer, Lufthansa Group, said:
“The continued expansion of our cooperation with Deutsche Bahn is a key pillar of the Lufthansa Group’s intermodal strategy, bringing air and rail even closer together for our customers. By improving rail access to our hubs and better connecting surrounding regions and cities, we are making travel more seamless, efficient and sustainable for our customers.”
Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO, Brussels Airlines, added
We are very happy to announce the first international high speed rail connection to Brussels Airport. The Western part of Germany has an important African diaspora, which we can now connect to our sub-Saharan African network. Our codeshare with Deutsche Bahn offers smooth connections in the most sustainable way. We work on more connections to come.”
Arnaud Feist, CEO, Brussels Airport, said:
“We are very pleased that Brussels Airport is again connected to the high-speed rail network, an important step for Belgium’s international connectivity. Intermodality is indeed one of our strategic objectives and we are strongly committed to developing a robust, future-oriented network that strengthens our role as major intermodal hub. This new high-speed connection with Deutsche Bahn, and in codeshare with Brussels Airlines, will give passengers fast, seamless access from the Western regions of Germany to our more than 180 worldwide destinations, offering an even more efficient and sustainable way to travel to and from the airport”
Michael Peterson, Member of the Management Board for Long Distance Passenger Transport, Deutsche Bahn, concluded:
“More and more people are choosing climate-friendly ways to get to their flights. Connecting rail and air travel is very much in trend. The new direct connection from Cologne to Antwerp via Brussels Airport as a hub has two positive aspects: we are once again meeting the high demand from our passengers for international rail travel – and at the same time, we are expanding our intermodal offering through our cooperation with Brussels Airlines.”
It’s a start. But it could be so much more
As I noted at the top of the article, your author is all for direct air-rail links, which expand the reach of an airline, whilst reducing the need for short-haul flights – especially in locations close to one another.
However, two trains a day… is a little sparse (with one in the morning and one in the afternoon) between Cologne and Antwerp, serving Brussels Airport. At other times, passengers will either need to change in Liege or Brussels North, negating the value of a one-seat ride.
And thats were this could fall down. With all the best wills in the world, two trains a day are hardly enough to codeshare on, which will no doubt lead to extended travel times.
Ultimately, routes like this live and die by frequency and price – both of those will be key if we are to see further Air-Rail links built out
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