Air France-KLM opens new Air&Rail terminal
Air France-KLM has opened the new, fully refurbished Air&Rail terminal at Brussels South (also known as Brussels-Midi or Brussels Zuid) train station.
Air&Rail allows passengers to combine train and air travel in one booking. Travellers connect to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport or Paris-Charles de Gaulle and receive a guaranteed seat on the next available flight or train if either service is delayed.
KLM and Air France also announced that a seventh daily high-speed connection between Brussels South and Paris-Charles de Gaulle would be available from June 15 to August 22.
The terminal is open daily from 05h30 to 18h30.
Belgium plans to boost sleeper services
Belgium presides over the Council of the European Union this year, and part of its goal is to encourage the accelerated development of night trains throughout Europe.
Europe is increasingly finding alternatives to flying. Short-haul flights are already banned in France, and countries such as Spain, Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands will likely follow suit.
Belgium has proposed improving international rail infrastructure, integrating train technology across borders, simplifying ticketing systems, and reducing operational costs as part of a plan to create more favourable conditions for night train operators.
Czech Republic secures loan for rail modernisation
The Czech Republic has secured a substantial loan from the European Investment Bank to modernise its railway infrastructure.
The loan, worth CZK24 billion (R19,2 billion), has been allocated to improving the Czech Republic’s rail network’s level crossings, cybersecurity safety, and constructing new train stations and additional infrastructure.
The rail modernisation project is expected to be complete by 2027.
