Star Alliance enhances intermodal connectivity with Austria’s ÖBB

Continuing its commitment to enhanced global connectivity, Star Alliance, together with 25 member airlines, welcomed ÖBB as its newest intermodal partner. This partnership allows customers of ÖBB and Star Alliance member airlines to seamlessly begin or conclude their long-distance journey on ÖBB’s eco-friendly Railjet trains, connecting from or to Graz, Linz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck. Peter Hanke, Federal Minister for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure said: "Cooperation between various providers is crucial if we want to overcome the current challenges in the area of mobility. The partnership between ÖBB, Austrian Airlines, and Star Alliance perfectly symbolises my understanding of a minister's role as a bridge-builder between the various mobility options. Infrastructure is the foundation for a functioning location, but also for domestic economy, tourism, and society." Delighted at the expansion, Star Alliance CEO Theo Panagiotoulias stated: “Air and Rail have complemented each other as transport modes for several years around the world, and we are proud to welcome ÖBB, the Austrian Federal Railways, to the Star Alliance family. With a single ticket, customers can now reach from Singapore to Salzburg, switching from a flight to Railjet at the Vienna airport. I am confident that not only will this partnership offer more choice, but it will also enhance the seamlessness in customer journeys.” Andreas Matthä, CEO of ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) said: “Traveling from the main train stations in Linz, Salzburg, Graz, or Innsbruck to destinations around the world will soon be even easier. We are very pleased to take a significant step in cooperation with Star Alliance to improve the integration of rail and air travel. This initiative allows us to offer our passengers an environmentally friendly way to travel to and from Vienna Airport - completely car-free - making the overall journey even more comfortable. This will make train journeys an even more flexibleand seamless part of air travel - not just with one airline group, but across a global network of 25 airlines.” The partnership is founded on ÖBB and Austrian Airlines’ long-standing cooperation to offer rail-to-air connectivity, known as AIRail, which was launched in 2014. It has allowed passengers to travel conveniently between major Austrian cities and Vienna Airport by train, with integrated ticketing and check-in services.<br/>