Hyperloop can play major role in Schiphol becoming the envisioned sustainable multi-modal hub
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol will expand its involvement in hyperloop by continuing the partnership with Dutch hyperloop company Hardt Hyperloop, that was first announced in 2018. Since then, the parties have conducted a joint study, that shows hyperloop can play a major role in Schiphol becoming the envisioned sustainable multi-modal hub. The study predicts that hyperloop can substitute up to 12.5 million of the passengers that will travel through Schiphol by 2050.
The partners have released a joint study that shows how hyperloop can emerge as a new sustainable mode of high-speed travel and shows hyperloop can replace a share of Schiphol’s short-haul flights in 2050. The study proposes an initial network that connects Schiphol with the main neighboring airports of Germany, Belgium, France and the UK that currently have direct flight connections. Hardt projects that by 2050, up to 73 million people will be flying between the major cities in this network. According to the study, hyperloop would be able to substitute up to 12.5 million of the passengers that will travel through Schiphol by 2050.
“The aviation industry has found itself in an unprecedented situation. The recovery will take years, but continuing to invest in innovation and sustainability has great significance. We feel it's important to participate in any promising mobility-related developments to meet the demand for sustainable transport in the future. I am proud we’ve partnered with Hardt to review hyperloop opportunities for a multi-modal hub,” says Hassan Charaf, head of innovation at Royal Schiphol Group.
Substituting short-haul flights with hyperloop will free up capacity, which will be utilized to maintain Schiphol’s role as a leading European airport hub.
Next steps
Schiphol and Hardt aim to realize the potential developments outlined in the study by extending their collaboration as they proceed with and expand their research. In addition, Hardt is in talks with other parties and authorities to ensure hyperloop will play a central role in a sustainable high-speed transport network in Europe.
“In the transition to a carbon neutral society it is crucial to not only improve existing modalities, but also to explore alternative, innovative mobility solutions. This study shows that hyperloop is a valuable addition to the future transportation landscape. In particular it lays the foundation for hyperloop to become a successful mode of sustainable transport in the years ahead. Partnerships, co-development and public-private collaboration are essential elements to spark such a breakthrough technology. We highly appreciate Royal Schiphol Group’s progressiveness in exploring innovative solutions such as hyperloop in the pursuit of becoming the world’s most sustainable airport,” says Stefan Marges, lead on the study, Hardt Hyperloop.
In conducting this study, Hardt and Schiphol were supported by Royal BAM Group, UNStudio, CE Delft, Stibbe, AirportCreators & Dutch Boosting Group and SEO Amsterdam Economics (advisory role).
