Intermodal transport is becoming standard: air and rail giants are blurring the lines between terminals and stations
The Italian and French markets continue to transform the European transport sector through strategic linking of national airlines i railway operators. What was once a logistical hurdle for travellers – buying separate tickets and the risk of delays when changing trains – is now becoming an integrated digital product. From July 2026, the collaboration between ITA Airways and private rail operator Italo, alongside established models being developed by Air France with SNCF, clearly signals that the future of travel sales lies in the concept of “single booking” solutions.
Synergy on Italian rails and in the air
The agreement between ITA Airways and Italo introduces a key change for passengers from cities like Florence or Bologna that do not have a developed intercontinental flight network. Instead of arranging their own transport to the hub in Rome (Fiumicino), passengers will be able to book their entire journey – from their departure station by high-speed train to their final destination in North America or Asia – in a single process from summer 2026.
This collaboration is not just a response to the demand for comfort, but also a strategic move at a time when ITA Airways is undergoing a partial takeover process by the Lufthansa Group.. The ownership structure of Itala, in which a significant share is held by, also adds to the story's weight. shipping giant MSC, This long-term opens doors for even broader intermodality, including cruising and freight transport. Besides Italo, ITA Airways has also signed a memorandum with the national carrier Trenitalia, with a particular focus on establishing a joint artificial intelligence laboratory that will optimise passenger flow and reduce CO2 emissions.
French model: From luxury to “low-cost” options
As Italy lays the groundwork for new alliances, Air France SNCF Voyageurs is upgrading a partnership that has lasted for three decades. New to the French market is the inclusion of low-cost OUIGO trains in the “Train + Air” offering. The process began in October 2025, with a plan for full expansion by September 2026. Passengers will be able to combine flights with more affordable rail services from Marseille, Avignon and Aix-en-Provence directly to Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport.
This move is strategically aimed at decarbonisation, but also at retaining passenger loyalty. Air France-KLM is enabling Flying Blue members to exchange their award miles for SNCF vouchers, thereby positioning rail travel as the primary way to use miles outside of air travel itself.
Passenger safety and operational protection
For tourist agencies and TMCs, the most important aspect of these agreements is legal and operational security. Intermodal agreements guarantee passengers protection in case of delays – if a train is late and a passenger misses their flight, the operators are obliged to provide alternative transport at no extra cost. Such a guarantee, which was previously reserved exclusively for connecting flights, is now becoming standard in combined transport, thereby removing one of the biggest barriers to the sale of multimodal arrangements.
The optimisation of the check-in process, which will be available 48 hours before departure via digital platforms, further reduces pressure on airports and increases capacity utilisation on long-haul routes. The European transport sector no longer views trains and aircraft as competitors, but rather as complementary parts of a unique mobility chain.
