Düsseldorf opens U81 light-rail airport link on 4 September 2026

The first construction phase of the new U81 light-rail route (served by the new U80 line) links Düsseldorf's central station via Freiligrathplatz directly to the Airport Terminal over 1.9 km, including a roughly 400 m tunnel and a 438 m bridge crossing the Nordstern junction and the A44 motorway. Technical completion was confirmed by the technical supervisory authority at the end of June 2026; the official opening, with special services followed by regular passenger service in the afternoon, is scheduled for Friday, 4 September 2026. Total investment stands at around EUR 336.2 million. Update (4 Sep 2026): The 1.9-kilometre new line from Freiligrathplatz to Flughafen Terminal underground station opened on 4 September 2026. The U80 runs every 20 minutes during the day between the main station and the airport (19-minute journey), while the U81 links the airport with the trade-fair grounds and arena on event days; bus line 896 was withdrawn. The city council approved the operating concept on 7 May 2026, and technical completion followed on 30 June 2026. There are no dates yet for the planned extensions (Rhine crossing to the west, airport long-distance station, Ratingen West) (LOK Report, 4 Sep 2026).