PARIGI (FRANCIA) (ITALPRESS) – To strengthen the international operations of the FS Group for the development of the High Speed, with an initial focus on Trenitalia France; to support the commercial distribution of services and to support an investment plan of 1 billion euros in France and the United Kingdom: These are the main objectives of the strategic partnership signed between the FS Group and Certares. The agreement provides for the creation of a joint venture and includes an investment in Trenitalia France aimed at accelerating its growth and consolidating its presence in France, the UK and the cross-border markets. Based in Paris, Trenitalia France operates high speed passenger rail services in France on routes Paris-Lione and Paris-Marsiglia, as well as the Paris-Milan connection. It has transported more than 4.7 million passengers from the start of operations and records levels of satisfaction among the highest in the industry. The company intends to further expand its network with entry to the Paris-London route and launch additional cross-border services. Trenitalia France plans to use the new invested capital to consolidate its position as second operator in France.
The key initiatives of partnership with Certares include: the expansion of the fleet to at least 19 trains; the development of a new maintenance plant near Paris, on a site recently assigned to the company; the increase in frequencies on existing routes (up to 28 daily rides on Paris-Lione); creating hundreds of new jobs; the continuation of investments in technology, brand and marketing and the expansion of international services to the United Kingdom, with the entry by 2029 on the Paris-London route.
The partnership should play a key role in accelerating the adoption of train trips across Europe, both for business customers and leisure travellers. Trenitalia France plans to collaborate with the companies in the Certares portfolio to support business customers in switching to high speed train as a more ecological, reliable and economically advantageous alternative to air transport. The train ride offers Wi-Fi connectivity, the convenience of connecting city centers, greater comfort and the ability to work efficiently while traveling, thus improving productivity. In parallel, Trenitalia France and Certares intend to promote itineraries that include the train for leisure travellers, integrate booking tools and encourage millions of travellers to choose the train as a preferred mode of transport.
In France and the United Kingdom, Certares has a strong presence in the distribution of travel through investments in American Express Global Business Travel (including CWT, Ovation and Egencia), Marietton Développement (including Havas Voyages and Selectour), Voyageurs du Monde (including Original Travel) and Internova Travel Group (including Barrhead Travel). As part of the partnership, Certares is facilitating trade agreements focusing on the distribution of products between Trenitalia France and its portfolio companies. The partnership is in line with the Strategic Plan 2025-2029 of the FS Group, which provides for accelerated international growth through collaboration with leading financial and industrial partners.
This initiative supports the expansion of FS International, the division of FS responsible for passenger operations outside Italy that currently counts about 3 billion euros of turnover and about 12 thousand employees. Combining the operational excellence of FS and Trenitalia France with the global distribution network of Certares travels, the partnership aims to place France, the Paris-London corridor and the future areas included in the joint venture as showcases for the future of sustainable European transport, for the benefit of French, British and European customers.
– FS Group press office –
(ITALPRESS).
