In a bold move to challenge Eurostar's dominance on the London to Paris route, FS Italiane Group, a co-owner of Avanti West Coast, has announced plans to launch a new high-speed train service through the Channel Tunnel by 2029. The Italian transport giant is committing a staggering £856.6million to fuel its ambitions of expanding its European network and offering a competitive alternative to air travel between the UK and France.

FS Italiane Group, renowned for its Frecciarossa high-speed rolling stock, plans to use a new generation of trains inspired by this iconic fleet for the proposed London to Paris services, KentLive reports. This ambitious venture promises to revolutionise cross-Channel travel, providing faster and more environmentally-friendly options for passengers. The investment also signals a broader strategic effort by the company to enhance its European operations, with particular focus on key transport corridors.

“We are not just investing in infrastructure and innovation, but also in the future of European transport,” said Stefano Antonio Donnarumma, CEO of FS Italiane Group. "High-speed rail networks are the backbone of efficient and environmentally friendly mobility, and more competition will help create a more efficient and customer-oriented industry, offering a real alternative to air travel.”

FS Italiane Group’s foray into the London to Paris market is part of a broader effort to expand its presence in the European transport sector. The company has signed a memorandum of understanding with Spanish firm Evolyn, which may lead to a potential partnership to compete with Eurostar.

Evolyn, along with other prominent players such as Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Gemini (chaired by Labour peer Lord Berkeley), has previously announced its intentions to enter the market. This growing interest from diverse operators underscores the demand for enhanced competition and service options in the cross-channel rail sector.

For FS Italiane Group’s proposed service to become a reality, it must first obtain approval from the relevant regulators. Eurostar, which has enjoyed a monopoly on Channel Tunnel passenger services since its opening in 1994, will face new challenges as these new entrants begin to gather momentum.

In a further development, FS Italiane Group has stated that it is exploring additional opportunities, including the possibility of reinstating stops at Ashford, Kent. Eurostar had ceased calling at Ashford in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but this potential reinstatement could offer passengers more choice and convenience.

The UK’s Office of Rail and Road (ORR) recently suggested that some capacity at Eurostar’s Temple Mills depot in north-east London could be made available to other operators, a move that could prove crucial for any new competitor seeking to maintain and store its trains.

Eurostar has long maintained a monopoly on passenger services through the Channel Tunnel, but this dominance is now under increasing pressure from FS Italiane Group and other aspiring operators. Access to essential maintenance facilities, such as the Temple Mills depot, will be a key battleground in the competition for cross-channel services.

Moreover, London St Pancras Highspeed, which owns the station and the high-speed tracks leading to the Channel Tunnel, has recently announced reduced charges for operators running additional international services. This move is designed to foster greater competition and could pave the way for more diverse international rail offerings.

FS Italiane Group’s ambitious plan to rival Eurostar comes at a time when the European rail sector is undergoing significant transformation. With major players like Evolyn, Virgin Group, and now FS Italiane Group vying for a piece of the lucrative London to Paris route, passengers can expect increased competition, improved services, and potentially lower fares in the coming years.

The launch of these new high-speed services by 2029 will mark a new chapter in cross-channel travel, offering passengers more choice and an environmentally-friendly alternative to flying.