EU clears way for major Eurostar expansion

Eurostar’s proposed merger with Belgium’s Thalys, dubbed Green Speed, dates to September 2019 but was placed on hold owing to the Covid crisis.

Both firms are controlled by France’s state railway operator SNCF.

The European Commission on Tuesday (29 March) said the merger would not raise and competition concerns "given its very limited impact on the structure of the market".

The new operator will use the Eurostar brand.

More: On track for change – are we on the cusp of a rail resurgence?

Prior to the pandemic, Eurostar and Thalys operated a combined 122 trains a day serving 18.5 million passengers annually.

The Green Speed proposal indicated this could grow to 30 million over the 10 years to 2029.

Benefits, said Eurostar and Thalys, would include seamless ticketing and better connectivity, supported by new digital tools, as well as new loyalty and partner offer schemes, including upgrades, discounts, complimentary journeys, lounge access and “other personalised benefits”.

TTG has approached SNCF for further comment.