FS Italiane Group, the parent company of Trenitalia, has unveiled a €1 billion investment plan to launch high-speed rail services between London and Paris. The Rome-based company aims to start operating on the popular route by 2029, competing directly with Eurostar. The new service will feature trains inspired by Trenitalia’s current high-speed Frecciarossa services.
FS Italiane joins a growing list of companies looking to challenge Eurostar’s dominance on cross-Channel routes. Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and startup Gemini Trains have also announced plans to introduce their own international services from London’s St Pancras station.
This announcement comes shortly after the UK’s rail regulator, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), confirmed that Eurostar’s London depot at Temple Mills could accommodate additional trains for new competitors.
In a statement, FS Italiane revealed that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Spanish high-speed rail startup Evolyn to collaborate on the project.
Stefano Antonio Donnarumma, CEO of FS Group, described the move as a key part of the company’s long-term strategy to create a more integrated and competitive European rail network. “This investment marks a major step forward in our vision for a sustainable and efficient rail system,” Donnarumma said. He added that the expanded network would provide a genuine alternative to air travel, benefiting both customers and the environment.
The London-Paris service is part of FS Group’s strategic plan for 2025-2029, which focuses on accelerating international expansion. The company highlighted its experience operating rail services in both the UK and France as an advantage in launching the new service.
FS Italiane plans to offer a variety of travel options and enhanced service quality for passengers, building on its established brand recognition. Trenitalia already runs trains between Paris and Lyon and resumed Milan-Paris services in April after a landslide blocked the route for nearly two years. A new Paris-Marseille high-speed route is also set to launch in June.
In the UK, Trenitalia operates C2C rail services, although the network will return to public ownership in July as part of the UK government’s renationalisation of the railways. The company also co-owns the Avanti West Coast service.
FS Italiane is currently conducting technical assessments to ensure smooth integration of the new high-speed services through the Eurotunnel and the rail networks in both the UK and France. The company is also exploring potential extensions of the London-Paris route to other cities like Lille, Lyon, Marseilles, and Milan.
Related topics:
- British Airways and easyJet Launch Exciting New Flights to Georgia
- Tenby’s Historic Heart Set for Luxury Makeover: New Hotel, Spa & Dining to Boost Tourism
- Unlock Huge Savings: Scenic’s 2026 River Cruises Include Free Airfare and Extra Perks