Studies concerning trans-European airport network
In the framework of continuing work on the trans-European airport network, the European Commission has published a contract notice for studies concerning airports. The Commission will contract for the following: - Study of the present and probable future effects of air-traffic liberalization in the European Union upon the organization and capacities of the trans-European airport network. The study is to concentrate on air-transport trends in the Community, in particular the following points: . Is liberalization leading to the creation of new routes and/or to the suppression of routes? . Which types of airport are affected by present trends? . What impact are present trends likely to have on the development of the three types of airport components defined in Commission proposal COM(94)106 final of 7 April 1994? The study must examine the likely consequences of present trends in terms of aircraft movements, including in particular: . Analysis by traffic volume and by major category of aircraft; . Comprehensive analysis at trans-European airport-network level; . Differentiation by type of component and an examination of trends in time-slot allocation. The study is to distinguish between changes which have occurred since the beginning of air-traffic liberalization in 1987 and developments likely to occur over the next ten years, taking into account air-carrier strategies and capacity constraints at airports. Predictions are to be justified in a clear fashion. Tenderers are to establish a detailed bibliography for the studies they propose and indicate the statistics sources and models upon which their work will be based. - Study of how best to optimize, in the interest of travellers, intermodal connections between air transport and medium- and long-distance rail transport. The study will seek to define the conditions and measures necessary for the creation of an efficient interface between air transport and medium- and long-distance rail transport. It will also provide Commission services with a means of evaluating air-rail interface projects. The study is to: . Determine the minimum traffic levels (volume/type) and service frequencies necessary in order to achieve effective complementarity between modes of transport; . Define the requirements for an effective physical integration of air and rail transport, in particular the ideal location of the airport railway station in relation to the airport; . Examine air and rail commercial strategies which could be jointly implemented. The study will be based on in-depth case studies of intermodality (examples and counter-examples) at European and world level. It will distinguish between locally determined features and those which can be generally copied, and identify the conditions which permit copying. Tenderers may submit separate offers for one or both of the studies. Offers are to be sent in triplicate to: European Commission DG VII Archives 200 rue de la Loi (BU33 1/13) B-1049 Brussels For further information, please contact: European Commission DG VII/C4 Airport Policy Unit Ms. Monique Tousseyn 200 rue de la Loi (BU33 5/5) Tel. +32-2-2968235; Fax +32-2-2969067