{"id":14815106,"date":"2026-03-17T09:55:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T08:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.etf.fr\/uncategorized\/faire-du-rail-le-plus-bel-endroit-du-ciel\/"},"modified":"2026-03-27T11:54:39","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T10:54:39","slug":"faire-du-rail-le-plus-bel-endroit-du-ciel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.etf.fr\/en\/rail-mobility\/faire-du-rail-le-plus-bel-endroit-du-ciel\/","title":{"rendered":"Making the railway the most beautiful place in the sky"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Automated metros, trams, RER trains, regional express trains or dedicated shuttle services: these transport systems address several challenges at once. They improve the flow of traffic, reduce the carbon footprint of airport access routes and enhance the travel experience for passengers, whether they are local residents or visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Better-connected terminals: a new standard in mobility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For major cities, effectively connecting an airport is no longer just a question of accessibility. It is a matter of attractiveness, urban planning and the green transition. Airport hubs have become true mobility hubs, where local, national and international flows intersect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this context, rail connections are gradually becoming the norm. Automated metros, trams or express services enable the airport to be integrated into the public transport network, just like a railway station or a major urban centre. The aim is no longer simply to reach the terminal, but to make the airport a destination that is fully connected to the wider region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3 questions for S\u00e9bastien Million<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Head of the Urban Transport Projects Agency at ETF<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Why have rail links to airports become so important for cities?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Above all, these projects offer travellers an additional option. The metro or tram becomes a link connecting the urban network to national and international transport networks. In some cases, you can leave your home and reach the airport without a car, using only public transport. This is evident, for example, in Nice, where the tram line directly links the port, the city and the airport, with connections to the railway station. This interconnection completely changes the way people travel.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What concrete changes do these projects bring for travellers?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is, of course, the environmental aspect, but there are also gains in terms of time and reliability. Today, travelling from Orly to Gare de Lyon takes about twenty minutes on line 14. When it\u2019s fast, regular and energy-efficient, people naturally adopt this mode of transport.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building these lines in the heart of cities must also be a challenge for construction companies like ETF\u2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yes, definitely. During construction work, we\u2019re rarely very popular. We work in busy areas, we divert traffic, and we dig up the roads. This inevitably causes disruption for local residents and shopkeepers. Our challenge, therefore, is to plan with our clients and organise the worksites so that we can make efficient progress whilst maintaining traffic flow and safety. There is a lot of pressure to meet deadlines and a great deal of coordination between contractors, but once the line is up and running, local residents very quickly see the benefits.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A range of responses depending on the region<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Whilst the challenges are many, the range of possible solutions is just as wide. Take the CDG Express, for example: the focus here is on direct service. The future link will connect Gare de l\u2019Est to Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport without any intermediate stops, offering a clear promise to passengers: to arrive on time, whatever the traffic conditions. Conversely, the Nice tramway illustrates another way of thinking about airport connections. Here, the rail system is not limited to providing a fast link: it serves the city. The line serves the terminals directly whilst passing through urban neighbourhoods, linking the airport to residential areas, business parks and other modes of transport. The challenge is not just speed, but seamless integration into the urban fabric, coexistence with other uses and the reliability of the service in a very busy environment.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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