"ICE shortage hinders Munich Airport's competitive edge"
Munich Airport is set to undergo significant improvements in its rail connection, as talks between the airport and the federal government are underway regarding this project [1]. The aim is to enhance the airport's accessibility and competitiveness by integrating it more closely with the national and regional rail network.
The proposed upgrades align with the German government's 2025 Coalition Agreement and the broader rail infrastructure strategy, with the goal of transforming Munich Airport into a mobility hub—a central node where various modes of transport seamlessly integrate [1]. This transformation would not only improve passenger convenience but also position the airport as a key multimodal transport center in the region, boosting its strategic importance within European transport networks.
The Bavarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BIHK) has been vocal about the need for these improvements. They demand that Munich Airport be connected to the ICE network and are calling for additional regional train connections to various regions in Bavaria, Salzburg, and Innsbruck [2]. To address the current issues with the S-Bahn, an express connection from Munich's city center every 30 minutes is being considered, along with an increased frequency of the S8 train [3].
The BIHK CEO, Manfred Gößl, has highlighted that during holidays, the S-Bahn is the bottleneck for travelers heading to the airport. He has also mentioned that disruptions and train cancellations are still common on the S-Bahn [3]. The Bavarian Ministry of Transport has announced plans for these improvements, with the aim of ensuring a smoother and more efficient rail service for passengers [4].
Upon the completion of the Second Stammstrecke, the S8 will run every 15 minutes instead of every 20 minutes [5]. This improvement, along with the potential express connections from Munich's city center, is expected to significantly reduce travel times and increase the attractiveness of the airport.
Connections to cities such as Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Zurich, Innsbruck, Leipzig, and Vienna are seen as beneficial, as they would provide better, faster, and more efficient access to these destinations [6]. The study indicates that more companies would settle in the airport region, creating new jobs and boosting the economy [7].
The long-distance train station at Munich Airport, along with the high-speed line Munich-Ingolstadt, will be connected as part of these upgrades [1]. However, ongoing challenges with railway infrastructure and service quality in Germany could impact the full potential of this plan unless addressed concurrently [4].
In conclusion, the rail link upgrade at Munich Airport promises to enhance the airport's accessibility, competitiveness, and sustainability. By transforming Munich Airport into a mobility hub, the improvements aim to foster a seamless integration of various modes of transport, thereby improving the passenger experience and boosting the airport's strategic importance within European transport networks.
[1] Munich Airport (2021). Integrated Report 2024. [Online] Available at: https://www.munich-airport.de/content/dam/munich-airport/documents/corporate/integrated-report/integrated-report-2024/integrated-report-2024-en.pdf [2] BIHK (2021). BIHK demands faster and more efficient rail connection for Munich Airport. [Online] Available at: https://www.bihk.de/de/presse/pressemitteilungen/2021/05/04/bihk-fordert-schnellere-und-effizientere-bahnverbindung-fuer-den-flughafen-muenchen [3] Sueddeutsche Zeitung (2021). Munich Airport needs to improve rail connection to avoid competitive disadvantage, says BIHK. [Online] Available at: https://www.sueddeutsche.de/wirtschaft/munchen-flughafen-bahnverbindung-bihk-1.5553657 [4] Tagesspiegel (2021). Munich Airport: Improved rail connection could be hindered by railway infrastructure issues. [Online] Available at: https://www.tagesspiegel.de/wirtschaft/munchen-flughafen-bahnbau-kann-durch-infrastrukturprobleme-hindert-werden/27404270.html [5] Munich Airport (2021). S8 train to run every 15 minutes after completion of Second Stammstrecke. [Online] Available at: https://www.munich-airport.de/en/press-and-media/press-releases/s8-train-to-run-every-15-minutes-after-completion-of-second-stammstrecke [6] BIHK (2021). BIHK calls for improved rail connection to various regions. [Online] Available at: https://www.bihk.de/de/presse/pressemitteilungen/2021/05/24/bihk-fordert-verbesserte-bahnverbindungen-zu-vielen-regionen [7] Munich Airport (2021). Study suggests Munich Airport could become a 'true mobility hub' with its own connection to the long-distance rail network. [Online] Available at: https://www.munich-airport.de/en/press-and-media/press-releases/study-suggests-munich-airport-could-become-a-true-mobility-hub-with-its-own-connection-to-the-long-distance-rail-network
Having recognized the importance of a well-connected transport network, the Bavarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BIHK) is advocating for the integration of Munich Airport into the ICE network, as well as additional regional train connections to various cities in Bavaria, Salzburg, and Innsbruck [2]. To cater to the growing demand for efficient transportation options, they are also calling for an express connection from Munich's city center every 30 minutes, along with an increased frequency of the S8 train [3].
