High speed rail in Europe is set for another leap forward as Italy’s state railway group Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane and investment firm Certares agree a new strategic partnership aimed at building a stronger international network by 2029.

With plans centered on Trenitalia France, the alliance promises more frequent services, new trains and a long awaited Paris–London high speed connection that could shift millions of travelers from air to rail across some of the continent’s busiest corridors.

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A Strategic Pact to Redraw Europe’s High Speed Map

Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, commonly known as FS Group, confirmed on December 29, 2025 that it has signed a joint venture agreement with Certares focused on expanding international high speed services, particularly through its subsidiary Trenitalia France.

The deal combines FS Group’s operational expertise in rail with Certares’ deep presence in travel distribution and corporate travel management, creating a powerful platform to capture growing demand for greener, city center to city center mobility.

According to the partners, the initial investment program totals around 1 billion euros dedicated to France, the United Kingdom and cross border markets. A central objective is to accelerate the development of Trenitalia France, which already runs high speed services on the Paris–Lyon and Paris–Marseille routes and operates the cross border Paris–Milan connection.

The new capital will fund fleet growth, infrastructure such as a new maintenance hub near Paris, enhanced frequencies and technology upgrades aimed at making the operator a more prominent rival to incumbent French and UK providers.

The agreement dovetails with FS Group’s 2025–2029 Strategic Plan, which targets strong international growth and an increase in international passengers of around 50 percent by the end of the decade.

The international division, FS International, is being positioned as a key driver of that expansion, with a focus on flagship corridors that can showcase Italian high speed know how while tapping into some of Europe’s most lucrative travel markets.

Paris–London by 2029: A New Challenger in the Channel Corridor

At the heart of the new partnership is a clear objective: to bring a Trenitalia operated high speed service to the Paris–London route by 2029. FS Group has already confirmed plans to dedicate between 10 and 12 trainsets to a cross Channel service starting that year, directly challenging existing operators on one of Europe’s highest profile rail markets.

The new link would be developed under the umbrella of Trenitalia France, with the trains running through the Channel Tunnel and integrating into the broader European high speed network. For travelers, this could mean greater flexibility in departure times, more competitive fares and differentiated service standards on what is currently a largely monopolized corridor.

The partnership with Certares is expected to accelerate commercial distribution and marketing, tapping into corporate travel agencies and leisure tour operators across Europe and beyond.

To support the Paris–London push, a new maintenance facility is planned near Paris on land recently awarded to Trenitalia France. This will be critical for keeping a growing fleet available and reliable on a route that demands very high levels of punctuality and safety. The facility is also expected to create hundreds of new jobs, underlining the economic impact of rail liberalization and new entrants on both sides of the Channel.

More Trains, More Frequencies and New Jobs in France

The FS Group–Certares collaboration also brings immediate benefits to travelers within France. Trenitalia France intends to expand its fleet to at least 19 trainsets as part of the 1 billion euro investment program. This will support a sharp increase in frequencies on existing high speed routes, particularly the strategically important Paris–Lyon corridor.

Plans call for up to 28 daily circulations on the Paris–Lyon line, significantly boosting capacity and offering more departure options for both business and leisure passengers. The company will also reinforce its presence on the Paris–Marseille route and further develop the Paris–Milan service, cementing its role as France’s second largest high speed rail operator.

Higher frequencies are aimed at capturing travelers from both low cost airlines and motorway traffic, with the promise of shorter station to station times, reduced stress and the ability to work or relax en route.

The expansion of operations will translate into substantial job creation. Trenitalia France anticipates hundreds of new roles across train crews, maintenance, station services and corporate functions. These positions come in addition to the broader indirect employment generated along the supply chain, from rolling stock manufacturing to digital services.

For French regions connected by high speed lines, increased train services are expected to support tourism and local business travel, particularly when combined with the distribution reach offered by Certares’ portfolio of agencies and travel management companies.

Greener Mobility at the Core of Europe’s Rail Strategy

The new partnership is being framed by both FS Group and Certares as a catalyst for the green transition in European travel. High speed rail is widely recognized by policymakers as one of the most effective ways to cut emissions in medium distance markets where air travel has long dominated. Electric high speed trains offer a fraction of the per passenger carbon footprint of flights, especially when powered by increasingly decarbonized electricity grids.

FS Group has been ramping up its sustainability financing and fleet investments, including recent green bond issues to support rolling stock renewal and high speed infrastructure. In 2025 alone, the company invested around 18 billion euros across its network, part of a broader 100 billion euro capital program planned over the life of its 2025–2029 Strategic Plan.

These funds are being channeled into new trains, upgraded lines and energy projects that improve efficiency and cut emissions while delivering faster and more reliable services.

By connecting major capitals and business centers with high speed electric trains, the FS Group–Certares initiative aims to encourage a modal shift away from short haul flights. Rail also offers advantages that align with changing traveler expectations: more space to work, stable Wi Fi connections, fewer security bottlenecks and central stations that reduce the need for long airport transfers.

For corporate clients under pressure to reduce travel emissions, the partnership will promote rail inclusive itineraries and booking tools that make choosing trains simpler and more visible within company travel policies.

FS Group’s Wider European Ambitions

The push into France and the Paris–London market is part of a wider international offensive by FS Group across Europe. The company has signaled plans to launch high speed services in Germany by the end of 2029 or early 2030, establishing direct competition with Deutsche Bahn on selected routes. It is also studying opportunities on the Paris–Brussels corridor and monitoring potential partnerships in markets as far afield as the United States.

FS International, the division overseeing passenger operations outside Italy, already generates around 3 billion euros in revenues and employs approximately 12,000 people. The objective is to scale this footprint rapidly over the next few years, using liberalization opportunities and infrastructure capacity in neighboring countries to build a network of Italian operated high speed routes linking key European markets.

Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa 1000 trainsets, designed to run under multiple national signaling systems and voltages, provide the technical foundation for seamless cross border operations.

Within Italy itself, FS Group continues to expand and upgrade its high speed backbone, connecting more regions and secondary cities into the network. Projects supported by European recovery funds are focusing on new lines in the south and improved diagonal connections across the peninsula.

As the domestic network grows, international links to France, Germany and beyond are intended to transform Italy into a central node of a wider European high speed grid, with passengers able to travel from the United Kingdom or France to southern Italy largely by fast rail.

What the Collaboration Means for Travelers by 2029

For passengers, the FS Group–Certares collaboration is expected to translate into more choice, better prices and a smoother booking experience on some of Europe’s busiest routes within the next four years. The 2029 target for Paris–London services coincides with wider efforts by European regulators and national governments to push rail as the default option for journeys of up to 800 or 1,000 kilometers where practical.

Corporate travelers could see high speed rail more prominently integrated into their company booking platforms, loyalty programs and travel policies. Certares’ stakes in several major travel management companies and agency groups give the joint venture access to a global client base that is increasingly sensitive to both cost and emissions performance.

Bundled rail and hotel packages, dynamic pricing and coordinated schedules are likely to feature in sales strategies, particularly for frequent business corridors between capitals and large regional hubs.

Leisure travelers stand to benefit from expanded rail inclusive holiday options that package high speed journeys with tours, cruises or resort stays. With environmental concerns rising among tourists and many seeking alternatives to short haul flights, the ability to travel from London to southern France or northern Italy largely by rail could become a stronger selling point.

If competition brings down fares and increases capacity, families and younger travelers may find high speed trains a more accessible and attractive way to explore Europe.

Challenges Ahead: Infrastructure, Competition and Regulation

Despite the clear ambition behind the partnership, the road to 2029 is not without challenges. The Paris–London corridor passes through the Channel Tunnel, where capacity, safety regulations and existing long term access agreements all influence how new operators can enter the market. Coordinating rolling stock certification, security checks and customs procedures between France and the United Kingdom will require detailed negotiation with authorities on both sides.

Competition dynamics will also shape the project’s trajectory. Incumbent operators have strong brands, established loyalty schemes and deep relationships with key accounts. New entrants must not only offer competitive pricing and service quality but also manage operational risks such as disruptions, maintenance bottlenecks and staff availability.

The success of Trenitalia France on existing domestic French routes, where it has already gained a foothold as the second largest high speed operator, provides an encouraging precedent, but scaling up while maintaining reliability will be critical.

On the regulatory front, cross border rail still faces hurdles ranging from infrastructure charges to differences in labor rules and consumer protection standards.

Policymakers at both European and national levels have signaled support for greater competition and interoperability in high speed rail, yet translating that support into streamlined processes remains a work in progress. The FS Group–Certares venture will test how far the liberalized framework has evolved since the early days of cross border high speed projects.

FAQ

Q1. What exactly have FS Group and Certares agreed to do?
They have formed a strategic partnership and joint venture focused on expanding international high speed rail services, starting with Trenitalia France. The collaboration includes around 1 billion euros of investment to grow operations in France, develop a Paris–London service by 2029 and strengthen cross border links with the United Kingdom and other markets.

Q2. When are the new Paris–London trains expected to start running?
The partners and FS Group executives have indicated a target start date in 2029 for a dedicated high speed service between Paris and London. This timeline allows for rolling stock deployment, maintenance facility construction, regulatory approvals and Channel Tunnel access arrangements.

Q3. How will this change high speed travel within France?
Trenitalia France plans to expand its fleet to at least 19 trainsets, increase frequencies on core routes such as Paris–Lyon to as many as 28 daily services, and reinforce operations on Paris–Marseille and Paris–Milan. For passengers, that should mean more departure options, potentially sharper pricing and a stronger alternative to the incumbent national operator.

Q4. Why is this partnership important for greener travel?
High speed rail uses electric traction and generates far lower emissions per passenger than short haul flights. By adding capacity and competition on major corridors, the FS Group–Certares collaboration aims to shift more travelers from air to rail, supporting European climate objectives while meeting growing demand for lower impact travel choices.

Q5. Who is Certares and what do they bring to the deal?
Certares is an investment firm specializing in travel and tourism, with stakes in several large travel management companies and agency groups. It brings distribution power, corporate client relationships and sector expertise that can help Trenitalia France sell high speed rail more effectively to both business and leisure customers worldwide.

Q6. Will ticket prices on routes like Paris–London definitely fall?
Fares will ultimately depend on competition, operating costs and market demand. However, the introduction of a new operator with significant backing and a modern fleet typically increases competitive pressure, which can lead to more flexible pricing, promotional offers and a wider range of fare types for different traveler segments.

Q7. How many new trains are involved in the French expansion?
The partnership foresees expanding the Trenitalia France fleet to at least 19 trainsets as part of the 1 billion euro investment plan. These will support higher frequencies, new or extended routes and the future Paris–London service, complementing broader rolling stock orders already placed by FS Group for its European operations.

Q8. What does this mean for jobs in the rail sector?
The project is expected to create hundreds of direct jobs in France, particularly around the new maintenance facility near Paris and the expanded high speed services. Additional indirect employment is likely across manufacturing, services and tourism, reflecting the wider economic impact of new rail investment.

Q9. Are there plans to expand beyond France and the UK?
Yes. FS Group has signaled intentions to launch high speed services in Germany by the end of 2029 or early 2030 and is studying routes such as Paris–Brussels. The company is also assessing potential partnerships in other markets, including the United States, as it seeks to leverage its expertise in high speed rail on a broader international stage.

Q10. How should travelers prepare for these changes over the next few years?
Travelers planning medium distance European trips between now and 2029 can expect more rail options to appear on booking platforms, especially for France and eventually the Paris–London corridor. Keeping an eye on rail inclusive offers from tour operators, monitoring loyalty programs that integrate trains and flights, and comparing rail and air door to door times will help passengers take full advantage of the evolving high speed network.