This is the news that has shaken the world of transport and tourism. After Lyon, Marseille and Milan, the Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) group, owner of the Trenitalia rail company, announced this Monday, April 7, 2025, its intention to open a high-speed train connection between Paris and London by 2029. With this move, the Italian company would compete with Eurostar, which is currently the only operator offering this route via the Channel Tunnel.
A one billion euro project
« This investment represents a decisive step forward in the FS Group's vision of building a more integrated, competitive European railway network. » stated in a press release Stefano Antonio Donnarumma, CEO of FS. The tone is set. For this amazing project, Trenitalia is planning a budget of one billion euros and aims to implement « train cars inspired by the Frecciarossa », the train that connects Paris, Lyon, and Milan. The announcement from the Italian company follows the statements from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) which indicated on March 31 that « the London depot of Eurostar would be able to accommodate additional trains if necessary ».
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Expanding Choices, Prices, and Destinations
Currently, 400 trains run daily under the Channel. Eurotunnel states that up to 1000 trains could actually pass through each day! This opens up a world of opportunities for competition on this line. On Friday, April 4th, London St. Pancras Highspeed (the company managing the Paris-London line) announced plans to develop financial incentives to attract new companies. « Increased competition will provide more choices for travelers, lower prices, and new destinations to explore! », explained CEO Robert Sinclair to AFP. However, although the project is on track, we will still need to wait four more years before.that the line Paris-London comes to life.
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