Trenitalia : A new chapter for the London–Paris route

Trenitalia France recently announced its ambition to launch a new rail service between Paris and London by 2029, thereby ending Eurostar’s long-standing monopoly on this route. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the development of Europe’s high-speed rail network, bringing a new dynamic to competition on the cross-Channel route.

To bring this ambitious project to fruition, Trenitalia has placed an order for 19 trains with manufacturer Hitachi Rail, worth a total of €2 billion. These trains, designed to be more environmentally friendly, will offer a significant reduction in energy consumption whilst improving passenger comfort. The new single-deck trains will be equipped with enhanced services such as high-quality Wi-Fi and a revamped catering offering, aimed at providing a superior travel experience.

At the same time, Trenitalia is developing a maintenance centre in Maisons-Alfort, on the outskirts of Paris, to centralise the maintenance of its trains and reduce the logistical costs associated with sending them to Italy. This centre will play a key role in the launch of the Paris–London service, ensuring optimal operational efficiency.

The project is receiving significant financial backing from the Certares fund, which has invested 300 million euros in Trenitalia France. This strategic partnership aims to strengthen Trenitalia’s distribution through influential travel agency networks such as American Express Business Travel and Havas Voyages. Greg O’Hara, Senior Managing Director at Certares, expressed his confidence in the potential of this partnership to transform the landscape of high-speed rail transport in Europe.

Finally, the planned opening of SNCF Connect to new rail operators in 2030 could provide Trenitalia with an additional platform to increase its visibility and market share. This initiative forms part of a broader vision for the “Metro of Europe”, an integrated high-speed network linking major European cities and demonstrates Trenitalia’s commitment to becoming a major player in rail transport across the continent.

With these developments, Trenitalia is positioning itself as a serious competitor in the European rail transport market, offering travellers new options for journeys between Paris and London.