New high-speed rail joint venture sets sights on Paris to London route

A US private equity firm with investments in American Express Global Business Travel and Barrhead Travel parent Internova Travel Group is backing a €1 billion European high speed rail expansion plan.

Certares is creating a joint venture with FS Group, the French arm of Italian train company Trenitalia, to include the expansion of cross-border links, including the Paris-London Channel tunnel route.

Trenitalia France plans to use the new investment capital to consolidate its position as France’s second-largest high-speed rail operator. 

Key initiatives include expanding the fleet to at least 19 sets of trains; developing a new maintenance facility near Paris on a site recently awarded to the company; increasing frequencies on existing routes and expanding international services to the UK via entry onto the London route from the French capital by 2029.

A joint statement said: “The partnership is expected to play a key role in accelerating the adoption of rail travel across Europe by both corporate and leisure travellers. 

“Trenitalia France plans to collaborate with Certares’ portfolio companies to support corporate clients in their shifting trend toward high-speed rail as a greener, reliable, and cost-effective alternative to air travel. 

"Rail travel also offers reliable Wi-Fi connectivity, city-centre-to-city-centrr convenience, enhanced comfort, and the ability to work efficiently while in transit, thereby improving overall productivity. 

“In parallel, Trenitalia France and Certares intend to promote rail-inclusive itineraries for leisure travellers, integrate booking and dynamic packaging tools, and encourage millions of travellers to choose rail as their preferred mode of transportation.

“The company intends to further expand its network, including entry onto the Paris–London route and additional cross-border services.”

Based in Paris, Trenitalia France operates high-speed passenger rail services on the Paris–Lyon and Paris–Marseille routes, as well as the cross-border Paris–Milan route. 

“By combining FS and Trenitalia France’s operational excellence with Certares’ global travel distribution network, the partnership aims to position France, the Paris–London corridor, and future territories included in the joint venture as showcases for the future of sustainable European travel, benefiting French, UK, and European customers alike,” the statement added.