Air-Rail 2026Conference and Networking Meeting

Wednesday 7 October 2026 · AHLEX — Brussels Airport Aviation Training Centre

1. 12:30

   Arrival and registration

   At AHLEX, the Brussels Airport Aviation Training Centre, Kompaslaan 54, Machelen. Buses from Level 0 of the terminal.

2. 12:45

   Light lunch

3. 13:30

   Welcome, introduction and keynote presentations

   Welcome from Brussels Airport and IARO and an outline of the two days, then a tour of the AHLEX facility, with videos and presentations on Brussels Airport's activities and plans, including the new Intermodal Hub.

   ahlex.eu

   • Urban mobility grants and project implementation

     Jean-Baptiste Kastel — Project Officer, European Commission, CINEA

   • The airline perspective on intermodal transport

     Maaike Andries — Corporate Development Manager, Brussels Airlines

   • The rail operator perspective

     Sebastian Rieckesmann — Business Manager, Airline and Intermodal Cooperations, DB Fernverkehr

4. 15:30

   Airport visit — landside and airside

   Tour highlighting the future Intermodal Hub and the outcomes of the CEF-funded IMH study.

5. 17:30

   Networking reception and dinner

   Informal “Welcome to Brussels” networking reception and dinner, with bus transfer from the airport.

   Van der Valk Hotel Brussels Airport

Thursday 8 October 2026 · Conference and Meeting Room — Brussels Airport

The day focused on the strategic issues and opportunities shaping the future of air-rail and intermodal transport, including high-speed rail connections to airports, integrated air-rail systems, new technology, funding and airport development.

1. 08:45

   Arrival, registration and coffee

   Arrival at Brussels Airport Conference and Meeting Room.

2. 09:30

   Welcome and introduction

3. 09:40

   Session 1 — Major airport connectivity and high-speed rail

   Moderated by Chris Jones, Strategy & Business Delivery Lead, Heathrow Express.

   • The future of airport intermodality: Brussels Airport's vision and the results of the CEF-funded IMH project

     Brussels Airport

   • Connectivity of major TEN-T airports by long-distance, including high-speed, rail

     Marcin Wójcik — Policy Officer, Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, European Commission

     • The evolution of the European Commission's TEN-T policy on connecting major airports to long-distance, including high-speed, rail services.

   • Strengthening the connectivity of Brussels Airport with long-distance destinations

     Rudi Loontiens — Chief Commercial Officer, Infrabel

     • Optimising capacity within the current constraints of both the airport rail network and the wider European rail system.
     • The role of infrastructure managers such as Infrabel, and other stakeholders, in supporting and shaping this transition.
4. 10:40

   Refreshment break

5. 11:00

   Panel discussion and Q&A

   The policy, planning and delivery challenges of high-speed and long-distance rail access to major airports, with Marcin Wójcik (European Commission), Rudi Loontiens (Infrabel), Maaike Andries (Brussels Airlines) and Sebastian Rieckesmann (DB Fernverkehr).

   • Consumer and passenger rights; the responsibilities of the airline and the rail operator; luggage on air-rail connections; cross-border issues, including tachographs and multilingual drivers

6. 12:00

   Lunch

7. 13:00

   Session 2 — Airport development and design

   Moderated by Philip Autekie, Masterplanning and Design Manager, Brussels Airport.

   • Perspective on airport development and design for intermodal connectivity

     Antoinette Nassopoulos-Erickson — Senior Partner, Foster + Partners

   • Poland's new greenfield airport: transport integration

     Filip Linkiewicz and Bartłomiej Morga, Port Polska

   • Airport development and design as part of a masterplan

     Philip Autekie — Masterplanning and Design Manager, Brussels Airport

   • Kuala Lumpur: update on in-town flight check-in and sustainability programme

     Noormah Mohd Noor — Chief Executive Officer, Express Rail Link, Kuala Lumpur

   • Panel discussion and Q&A — the advantages and disadvantages of greenfield versus brownfield integration of rail infrastructure to airports

8. 14:00

   Refreshment break

9. 14:30

   Session 3 — Integrating new technology and systems, and managing disruption

   Moderated by Ian Lovelock, AccesRail.

   • Integrating new technologies: beyond aviation boundaries

     Jérôme Delmeulle — Programme Manager, SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking

   • Integrated management in normal and disruptive mode, through collaboration and technology

     Konstantijn Huys, Brussels Airport

   • How integrated air-rail intermodality is evolving from a niche concept into a strategic tool for network optimisation

     Laetitia Beneteau, AccesRail

   • Panel discussion — technology deployment, data sharing, disruption management and cross-industry collaboration: how airports, rail operators and distribution platforms can use air-rail integration to strengthen their networks

10. 15:45

    Closing remarks and next steps

    Summary of key points from the day and opportunities for future IARO collaboration.

11. 16:00

    End of conference sessions

    Refreshment and networking.

12. Evening

    End of conference dinner — Brussels city

    An informal dinner in the city centre for members still in Brussels.