After years of Eurostar‘s monopoly on high-speed rail travel between London and Paris, the race to break into this lucrative market is heating up. Italy’s FS Group has partnered with US private equity firm Certares to launch a new high-speed rail service between the two capitals by 2029, setting the stage for a major shake-up in cross-Channel transportation.
The partnership represents a €1 billion investment plan focused on operations in France and the UK. FS Group, through its Trenitalia France subsidiary, aims to strengthen its position as France’s second-largest high-speed rail operator while expanding into the UK market. The joint venture will deploy 10-12 trainsets specifically for the cross-Channel service.
The billion-euro venture positions Trenitalia France to challenge Eurostar with dedicated trainsets for a new London-Paris connection.
This development comes at an opportune time, as the Channel Tunnel currently operates at less than 50% of its capacity. Eurotunnel’s parent company, Getlink, has allocated €50 million in financial assistance for new market entrants between 2025 and 2030, signaling a strong push for increased competition.
The Italian-American partnership isn’t alone in targeting this route. Virgin Group plans to launch its own London-Paris service by 2030, while other competitors like Gemini Trains and Heuro have also submitted applications for Channel Tunnel access. This increased competition promises more options for travelers and potentially lower prices.
To support its expansion, Trenitalia France is investing in infrastructure development, including an £87 million state-of-the-art maintenance facility near Paris. This facility will create hundreds of new jobs and guarantee high punctuality and safety standards for the Channel crossing operations. The initiative contributes to greener mobility by offering a lower carbon footprint alternative to short-haul flights between the capitals.
FS Group will maintain one train overnight in the UK to facilitate early morning departures from London, ensuring convenient scheduling options for business travelers.
Beyond the Paris-London route, the partnership plans to enhance capacity on existing lines, with up to 28 daily trains on the Paris-Lyon route and reinforced service on the Paris-Marseille and Paris-Milan routes.
These developments align with Eurotunnel CEO’s commitment to double the number of connections between London and the continent within the next decade, fundamentally transforming European high-speed rail travel.
Trenitalia plans to operate 10 daily return trains between Paris and London using Hitachi Rail ETR400 trainsets, providing frequent service options for travelers crossing the Channel.
