While Southeast Asian airports handle approximately 800 million passengers yearly, less than 1% of these passengers connect to trains.
The Aviation Studies Institute (ASI) has commissioned Sobie Aviation to examine Airport-Rail inter-modality in Southeast Asia. This study, part two of a broader analysis on transport connectivity in the region, delves into recent investments in land transportation infrastructure, particularly high-speed rail, and its implications for aviation.
As of current data, only 29% of medium or large-sized airports across Southeast Asia offer passenger rail connectivity out of the 24 airports in the region. The majority of these connections are limited to local destinations within the city.
Contrastingly, regional or long-distance connections, common in other regions like Europe and North Asia, are almost non-existent in Southeast Asia, with few exceptions such as Bangkok Don Mueang Airport, serving as a stop for trains to and from northern Thailand.
In fact, until 2002, few Southeast Asian airports had train connectivity, except for Bangkok Don Mueang and Yogyakarta Adisucipto Airport in Indonesia. Since then, improvements have been gradual, with new airports like Medan in Indonesia and Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok in Malaysia and Thailand, respectively, witnessing concurrent rail line construction.
Passengers seeking regional or long-distance train connections often face the inconvenience of traveling to city center stations, as direct connections from airports are rare. Below is a table highlighting major Southeast Asian airports with rail connectivity, focusing on those with over 5 million annual passengers based on 2019 data, with recovery rates included where available for 2023:
The report also points out that environmental considerations are gaining prominence in Southeast Asia, prompting investments in rail infrastructure to alleviate road congestion. However, the focus on local passenger markets also raises questions about the potential for a more integrated transport network.
Here are some key observations from the paper:
- Indonesia possesses one of the most extensive rail networks in the region, with direct airport-rail connections.
- The introduction of a new railway in northern Laos has impacted domestic air transport demand.
- Investment in airport-rail connectivity stands to benefit the aviation sector by freeing up airline and airport capacity for alternative routes.
Southeast Asia records over 1 billion train passengers annually, with more than 20,000 km of railway lines, as per ASEAN Secretariat data. While Southeast Asian airports handle approximately 800 million passengers yearly, less than 1% of these passengers connect to trains.
Sobie Aviation’s study reveals that the absence of coordinated airport-rail connectivity in Southeast Asia presents a missed opportunity for reducing road congestion and environmental impact. While some airports in the region have rail connections, the integration of new airports with rail infrastructure remains inconsistent. Similarly, the development of new rail lines often disregards airport connectivity, contrary to practices in other regions.
This paper underscores the significance of incorporating rail connectivity into airport and rail development plans. Particularly, as Southeast Asia witnesses growing interest in high-speed rail (HSR), considerations for airport stops along HSR lines could enhance connectivity, especially for short-haul routes.
Furthermore, the potential for high-speed rail (HSR) to replace short-haul flights is significant, as emphasised by the study, particularly for city pairs like Kuala Lumpur-Singapore and Jakarta-Yogyakarta. Proposed HSR lines in Thailand and the Philippines could further impact regional aviation by providing sustainable alternatives.
While HSR may not replace most short-haul air routes within Southeast Asia, it holds potential for thick domestic and international overland routes, potentially replacing up to 10% of intra-Southeast Asia passenger traffic within two decades.
In the paper, Indonesia serves as a case study, boasting the largest rail network and passenger volume in Southeast Asia, predominantly on the island of Java. Recommendations include enhancing airport-rail connections in Java as HSR expands, with a focus on integrating Kertajati Airport into rail networks. Additionally, opportunities for improving airport-rail connectivity in Sumatra and Sulawesi are highlighted, with proposals for airport stops on proposed new rail lines.
Laos, another case study, has seen positive impacts from its newly introduced medium-speed rail line, enhancing accessibility and tourism. Recommendations include further rail development, including airport rail options, to bolster intermodal connectivity in the country.
Indonesia notably expanded its rail network to serve airports in Jakarta, Padang, Solo, and Yogyakarta. Other Southeast Asian countries, including Malaysia and Thailand, followed suit with rail links to newer airports. However, despite progress, several airports still lack rail connectivity.
The paper also details that recent instances of suspended airport-rail connections in Cambodia and Malaysia raise concerns. Opportunities for new airport rail lines exist, with ongoing or planned construction in Manila, Ho Chi Minh City, Bali, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Phnom Penh. However, the integration of rail and airport development remains lacking.
The white paper recommends Southeast Asian governments prioritize rail connectivity in airport and rail line developments to address sustainability concerns. By including airport stops in HSR lines, significant reductions in short-haul air traffic can be achieved, benefiting both passengers and the environment.
