Kimmo Kotimäki
rautatie@sci.fi
May 7 1998

Air traffic growth

Domestic air traffic grew 13% during January-August 1997. Long-distance train traffic has in the last few years grown by about 1% per year. If growth continues at the same rate domestic air traffic will double within 7 years, that is in 2004.

In 1996 air traffic accounted for about 800million passenger-kilometres, and long-distance train traffic 3,300million passenger-kilometres. If the growth in air traffic continues it will overtake the total distance travelled by long-distance rail passengers by 2009.

For railways the future does not look good. Unless Pendolinos are taken into widespread use quickly, rail transport will be the loser. One of the most important factors affecting the choice of the traveller is speed.

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