Liege Airport looks to enhance road-rail connectivity
Liege Airport has invested in Liege Logistics Intermodal (LLI) as the two firms look to enhance rail and road connectivity with the Belgian airport. The partnership will see the airport take a 10% stake in LLI ahead of a series of investments in infrastructure. The first phase of the project will entail investments of EUR22m through to 2030 with the objective of modernising and expanding the existing road-rail platform operated by LLI.
The work planned for this phase includes bringing the rail tracks up to European standards, installing gantry cranes and upgrading access roads. The second phase will entail the creation of new access points and roadway modifications, the construction of a new goods storage and processing area, and the development of a horizontal piggyback loading platform. “These developments will enable the rail-road platform to handle up to 45 trains a week, representing an annual capacity of 180,000 containers,” the airport said in a press release.
The site is located 1.5 km from Liege Airport and is close to the conventional railway line and the TGV line that connects Liege to Brussels. The railway hub is owned by the SPI economic development agency and managed by LLI. Since 2024, LLI has been handling nine trains a week to Italy and three weekly trains from China.
“This new infrastructure will establish the Liege region as a key logistics hub, offering versatile transport solutions for local and international companies,” the airport explained. The airport explained that the investments come as there is an increasing focus on reducing emissions while the cost of road transport is set to make rail freight a more attractive option in the future. “Liege’s strategic location offers unique advantages in Europe, providing efficient air, road, rail, inland waterway and sea logistics solutions in a small area.
The package on offer to logistics providers will be complete and attractive,” said Liege Airport chief executive Laurent Jossart.
Belgian hubs report air cargo demand growth in July[1]
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References
- ^ Belgian hubs report air cargo demand growth in July (www.aircargonews.net)