The concept centres on forming a consortium of railway operators to coordinate investments and operations. FS plans to position this initiative as a shared European project, with contributions from multiple countries and infrastructure stakeholders.
Among the proposals mentioned in the Les Échos interview is a planned high-speed connection between London and Paris, scheduled for launch by 2029. The investment is estimated at EUR 1 billion. The company is in discussions with relevant regulatory and infrastructure authorities to secure access to required facilities in both countries.
Donnarumma also referenced adjustments to the Paris–Milan timetable, with travel time expected to be reduced from over seven hours to five and a half. This will require closer alignment between the French and Italian high-speed systems.
FS currently operates on the Milan–Paris corridor and has announced the expansion of services to Paris–Lyon and Paris–Marseille, with the latter planned to launch in June 2025. In Spain, FS holds a 45% stake in Iryo, which claims a 25% market share in the Spanish high-speed segment.
According to company figures cited in the interview, FS carried approximately 230 million international passengers in 2024. Foreign revenue reached EUR 3 billion out of a total turnover of EUR 16.5 billion. The company aims to grow its international passenger base by 40% over the next five years.
Additional plans include exploring new routes such as Rome–Berlin via Munich and strengthening coordination with other operators in competitive markets. The interview also addressed integration challenges in France and called for a more balanced approach to shared network access.
