Unlocking seamless multimodality in Europe: Enabling passenger-centric air-rail integration through policy, data and collaboration
Rail Live / 26 November 2025 – 14:20 to 15:00
Moderated by Vanessa Pérez, Senior Advisor at UIC, the session was designed as a roundtable discussion for a limited number of registered participants. It brought together key representatives from the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), Benerail, the Spanish National Railway Network (RENFE), UIC, and Nommon, with Bertrand Minary, UIC Director of the Passenger and Freight Departments also participating.
Pérez introduced the topic by highlighting UIC’s collaboration with Nommon within the SESAR EU-funded Integrated Passenger-Centric Planning of Multimodal Transport Networks (MultiModX) project, which aims to develop data-driven tools and harmonised methodologies to support seamless multimodal travel chains. She explained that MultiModX focuses on improving the integration of transport modes through enhanced data interoperability, advanced mobility analytics, and user-oriented multimodal journey planning — components that framed the challenges discussed in the session.
The discussion underscored that multimodality challenges arise not from a single factor but from a complex interplay of operational, regulatory, and technological gaps between modes of transport. Nevertheless, despite this complexity, a high level of commitment was displayed across the sector to move forward collectively.
Booking horizons: A structural misalignment
A key issue highlighted by Benerail was the misalignment between air and rail booking horizons. Airlines often open sales more than a year ahead, while rail operators typically offer much shorter windows. SBB, one of the leaders in this domain, offers up to eleven months depending on the season, yet this remains insufficient for fully coordinated long-haul multimodal planning.
Infrastructure gaps and the burden of transfers
Infrastructure limitations continue to pose major obstacles. Many airports lack direct high-speed or long-distance rail links, resulting in slow and uncertain transfers. As part of this discussion, RENFE outlined Spain’s ongoing commitment to connecting the Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat airports to the high-speed rail network — a strategic step toward strengthening multimodal connectivity at both national and European level.
Emerging air-rail partnerships
The session showcased innovative cooperation models, such as Eurostar’s integration into SkyTeam as its first rail member. This milestone opens the door to integrated loyalty programmes, enabling travellers to combine miles and points across air and rail modes within a single travel chain.
Passenger data and operational flexibility
Airlines are increasingly seeking information on passengers arriving by train, but rail’s modus operandi (such as multi-point boarding, non-nominative tickets, variable reservation systems) complicate data sharing. Here, SBB gave a presentation on its flexible air-rail tickets that allow passengers to board within a defined time window, striking a balance between customer convenience and operational feasibility.
Baggage handling: A persistent operational challenge
Baggage handling remains one of the most complex challenges. Swiss regulations require continuous custody by a single operator up to the aircraft, which is not possible with open rail networks. This therefore requires third-party logistics providers to be used, introducing further constraints such as luggage not always travelling with passengers and requiring early drop-off.
Disruption management and compensation responsibilities
Clear rules for disruption management in multimodal journeys are still lacking. Rail operators, particularly regional and commuter services, cannot absorb the cost of missed long-haul flights, nor is there a harmonised compensation framework. Robust commercial agreements will be essential to address these challenges.
OSDM and the importance of interoperable digital standards
Minary highlighted the importance of interoperable digital standards. UIC emphasised the growing relevance of the Open Sales and Distribution Model (OSDM), which provides a modern, API-based framework for fare distribution, inventory sharing and multimodal ticketing. OSDM reduces complexity, supports integrated booking platforms, and serves as a foundational digital layer for European mobility. Its compatibility with standards such as Transmodel and the General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) further reinforces its potential as a catalyst seamless multimodal solutions.
Principles for future-proof multimodal integration
Speakers stressed that future multimodal systems must be intuitive, affordable, flexible, and interoperable, with solutions avoiding increasing distribution costs and remaining compatible across markets. Within this, standards such as OSDM will help build a scalable and sustainable digital ecosystem.
Policy direction: Balancing drive and feasibility
The European Union is advancing initiatives to strengthen multimodal travel, including enhanced passenger rights, improved data quality, and major infrastructure programmes such as the European High-Speed Rail Plan. However, the session cautioned that policies must remain proportionate and feasible, avoiding excessive complexity that could hinder uptake.
Additional points highlighted in the discussion
As part of the session, three essential conditions for real progress in multimodal integration were put forward:
1. Policies that can be effectively implemented in real operational environments
2. Robust and reliable data exchange between transport operators
3. A strong focus on the passenger experience to ensure multimodal journeys are genuinely seamless, convenient, and attractive
MultiModX contributes to these priorities by providing tools, methodologies, and evidence that help authorities and operators design better, more resilient, and more user-centred multimodal connections.
Thank you to all of the participants for the inspiring discussion and commitment to building a seamless and sustainable European mobility system.
For more information about MultiModX, please visit: https://multimodx.eu/.
