In Düsseldorf, the first construction phase of the U81 light rail line to the airport has been officially commissioned. The opening took place on Friday, 4 September 2026, by Lord Mayor Dr. Stephan Keller, Dr. Claudia Elif Stutz, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Transport, and Hendrik Wüst, Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia. Regular passenger service on the new route began at 2 p.m. on the opening day. This 1.9-kilometre section of track, leading from Freiligrathplatz to the airport terminal, provides a direct connection between Düsseldorf Airport and the city's light rail network for the first time.
The new connection is strategically designed to link various central locations. The U80 line connects the airport terminal directly with Düsseldorf Central Station. On exhibition days, the U81 provides a fast connection between the airport terminal and the Merkur Spiel-Arena/Messe Nord stop. According to Lord Mayor Dr. Stephan Keller, this new light rail connection closes an important gap in the city's transport network and creates a connection of great significance for Düsseldorf's future development. It brings the airport closer to central city locations as well as to popular event venues such as the exhibition centre and the Merkur Spiel-Arena.
The total gross costs for the first construction phase of the U81 amount to approximately EUR 336 million, or net approximately EUR 284 million. The federal government and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia contributed a total of approximately EUR 177 million in funding to this project. Of this, approximately EUR 140 million came from the federal government and about EUR 37 million from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Taking into account additional revenue, including from land sales, the state capital Düsseldorf bears costs of approximately EUR 100 million. Dr. Claudia Elif Stutz, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Transport, highlighted that the first-time connection of North Rhine-Westphalia's largest airport, with over 20 million passengers annually, to the light rail network represents a significant gain for the state capital and its airport. She emphasised the increased attractiveness for Düsseldorf as an internationally important exhibition and business location.
Minister President Hendrik Wüst underlined the importance of Düsseldorf Airport as a central transport hub for North Rhine-Westphalia and a key factor for the state's international connectivity. The new light rail connection improves connectivity with Düsseldorf, the exhibition centre, and the Merkur Spiel-Arena, thereby strengthening the international appeal of the state capital as well as North Rhine-Westphalia as an economic and exhibition location. Improved mobility for the local population is a central concern. According to Annette Grabbe, Chairwoman of the Executive Board of Rheinbahn, a new chapter of modern and interconnected mobility begins for Düsseldorf, offering passengers greater comfort and shorter journeys.
The new light rail route particularly improves the accessibility of the airport terminal by public transport and creates new direct connections. This benefits travellers, employees, commuters, as well as exhibition and event visitors. The U80 generally operates every 20 minutes between Düsseldorf Central Station and the airport terminal; during off-peak hours and on Sundays, it runs every 30 minutes. The journey time from Düsseldorf Central Station to the airport terminal is approximately 18 minutes. Service begins daily shortly after 4 a.m. at the airport, with the last train departing around 1 a.m. For all major international exhibitions, the U81 connects the airport terminal directly with the Merkur Spiel-Arena/Messe Nord stop. This line runs from the airport via the newly constructed section of track to Freiligrathplatz and from there continues on the existing light rail track to the exhibition centre and the Merkur Spiel-Arena. The journey time between the airport terminal and Merkur Spiel-Arena/Messe Nord is just under seven minutes. On exhibition days, the U81 operates every 20 minutes from Monday to Saturday and every 30 minutes on Sundays.