In these days of climate change, travelers are being urged to travel on railways rather than fly to help reduce their carbon footprint. However, Lufthansa still wants passengers and has signed a memorandum of understanding with Italy’s state rail service, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane S.p.A. Read on to find out how this could affect you when flying with the German airline while offering convenience to its passengers.

Lufthansa encourages passengers to use Italian trains to the airport

In a new memorandum of understanding with Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane S.p.A, the Lufthansa group wants to encourage its passengers to use the Italian state railway’s trains. The airline’s intention is to negotiate a contract whereby the state-owned railway company will feed the airports where Lufthansa operates within Italy.

The aim is to connect these different modes of transport in order to benefit the passenger. In fact, the company wishes to allow its passengers to travel on the railway company’s trains. Moreover, they will arrive at their respective connections at a number of airports in Italy.

According to BTN Europe, Lufthansa said in a statement:

The intention is to negotiate a contract for a co-operation in feeder traffic within Italy in order to link the various modes of transport in a better and more customer-friendly way.

The aim of the planned co-operation is in particular to bring passengers with FS rail connections to and from their respective flight connections at various Italian airports.

Airline in negotiations for a stake in ITA Airways

Meanwhile, the German airline isn’t only betting on the Italian rail market, as it is also in negotiations for a stake in ITA Airways. Negotiations between Lufthansa and the Italian Ministry of Economy (MEF) formally started on January 18 for an agreement that would allow the German airline to enter ITA with a minority stake. In fact, the airline has proposed six weeks of exclusive negotiations. Following this, the agreement will be submitted to the various European regulators.

Moreover, with the agreement between Lufthansa and Italy’s state rail company, it is worth noting that the proposed design of the program will now be the subject of further negotiations. It could take some time, however, as once the contract is signed, its implementation will be subject to the competent authorities’ approval.

Other similar agreements with Lufthansa

This isn’t the first time that the German airline has signed agreements for similar intermodal cooperation programs. It already operates with German rail companies including Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB, and SBB and more. In fact, the airlines under the Lufthansa Group currently offer passengers more than 3,000 weekly train or bus connections from more than 40 cities. In fact, as early as 2001, the German airline signed a cooperation agreement with Deutsche Bahn for rail connections to its airports, LH Express Rail.

While many “green” travelers are taking the rail rather than flying around Europe, the agreements made by the German airline, Lufthansa will definitely offer convenience to their passengers.

This comes at a time when sleeper trains and scenic railways are the order of the day, making the journey part of the vacation. In fact, even the historic Orient Express will be coming into service again, offering a luxury rail experience.