Connecting air and rail to improve the tourist destination accessibility: the case of Malpensa airport

The paper analyses airports as strategical nodes of passenger transfers and the various modes of transport that define airport accessibility. Using the methodological approach of transport geography, this work underlines the strategic importance of the air-rail connection in order to improve airport accessibility. The attention is focused on the specific situation of Malpensa airport (Italy), considering its position along a European transport corridor (Rhine-Alpine) and its current integration with rail. In this regard, the paper presents the project of the new railway between Terminal 2 and the Simplon line, intended to improve the link with the existing (national and international) railway system. The final goal is to highlight the possible future scenario after the realization of the new railway, considering the positive effects on tourist destination accessibility. The analysis shows that the air-rail link is the best modal choice for long-distance passengers in order to access the tourist destinations located within the airport’s catchment area. The methodology used to analyse the project can be proposed for educational aims and to perform similar investigations in other airports.