Italian rail operator FS Group, through its Trenitalia France subsidiary, plans to launch direct London to Paris services by 2029, challenging Eurostar’s near-monopoly and Virgin’s planned entry.
The route is part of a wider expansion under FS Group’s 2025-2029 European growth strategy, which includes a €1 billion investment in international high-speed rail services.
This would make the UK the fourth country served by Trenitalia’s high-speed trains, following Italy, France and Spain.
If approved, the service would make FS Group the first new operator to run trains through the Channel Tunnel before Virgin’s proposed launch in 2030.
Unlike Virgin, which relies on access to the Temple Mills depot in east London, FS Group will base its operations in France.
FS Group plans to build an £87 million maintenance facility outside Paris to support a fleet of up to 10 high-speed train sets.
Only one train per day would need to remain overnight in the UK, reducing the need for depot space in London.
The Channel Tunnel is currently operating at around half of its potential capacity.
This leaves room for more operators alongside Eurostar and Virgin.
FS Group is aiming to launch up to ten daily round trip services between London and Paris, using next-generation high-speed trains similar to its Frecciarossa models.
Virgin has received regulatory approval for Temple Mills and is targeting a 2030 launch.
This would mark the end of Eurostar’s 30-year near-monopoly on the route.
Eurostar currently operates from London to Paris and Brussels and has plans to extend services to Germany and other destinations.
Regulatory hurdles remain for new entrants, including Channel Tunnel safety standards, rolling stock approvals, commercial agreements and border controls.
If FS Group meets its 2029 target, travellers may be able to board Italian-designed high-speed trains from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord before Virgin’s planned services begin.
