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Europe / Other Shops / General
Air France plans Paris-London TGV
By John Frank-Keyes, 11 September 2008
When Eurostar’s monopoly comes to an end in 2010, both fares and journey times may be reduced if Air France/KLM can successfully introduce a new generation of high-speed trains (TGVs) on the route.
The airline is also considering a Paris-Amsterdam rail service, and has operated a Paris-Brussels high-speed rail link (with Thalys) for several years already. Virgin Atlantic is also believed to be interested in offering Europe-wide rail services once deregulation takes place, and the German railway company Deutsche Bahn is reportedly planning a high-speed link from London to Cologne with easy access to the rest of its network.
Eurostar – which has seen traffic rise 18% in the first half of this year – said it welcomed competition, and had expected it, but that the airlines would have “a lot to learn” before they could compete effectively.
"This shows that airlines now realise that high-speed rail is increasingly the natural choice for business and leisure journeys across Europe," a spokesman said. "It's no surprise that airlines hit by high oil prices and congested airports are trying to turn themselves into train operators. We will continue to compete with them whether they use wings or wheels."
Any such developments would clearly affect the dynamic of airport travel retail and bolster those operators located in the railway stations.
By John Frank-Keyes, 11 September 2008
When Eurostar’s monopoly comes to an end in 2010, both fares and journey times may be reduced if Air France/KLM can successfully introduce a new generation of high-speed trains (TGVs) on the route.
The airline is also considering a Paris-Amsterdam rail service, and has operated a Paris-Brussels high-speed rail link (with Thalys) for several years already. Virgin Atlantic is also believed to be interested in offering Europe-wide rail services once deregulation takes place, and the German railway company Deutsche Bahn is reportedly planning a high-speed link from London to Cologne with easy access to the rest of its network.
Eurostar – which has seen traffic rise 18% in the first half of this year – said it welcomed competition, and had expected it, but that the airlines would have “a lot to learn” before they could compete effectively.
"This shows that airlines now realise that high-speed rail is increasingly the natural choice for business and leisure journeys across Europe," a spokesman said. "It's no surprise that airlines hit by high oil prices and congested airports are trying to turn themselves into train operators. We will continue to compete with them whether they use wings or wheels."
Any such developments would clearly affect the dynamic of airport travel retail and bolster those operators located in the railway stations.
News related to "Air France-KLM; high-speed rail"
• Air France to lose 4,000 jobs
(6 July 2010)
• Iberia and BA merger signed (30 June 2010)
• Air France-KLM loses $1.9bn (21 May 2010)
• British Airways agrees merger with Iberia (8 April 2010)
• UK supports LHR 3rd runway (8 December 2009)
• Iberia and BA merger signed (30 June 2010)
• Air France-KLM loses $1.9bn (21 May 2010)
• British Airways agrees merger with Iberia (8 April 2010)
• UK supports LHR 3rd runway (8 December 2009)
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• Guilty: conspiracy to murder (9 September 2008)
• EU lifts flight restrictions (9 September 2008)
• Belfast City sold for $233m (8 September 2008)
• CDG Terminal 2G's new SDA retail offer (5 September 2008)
• WDF/One water 'life bags' (3 September 2008)
• Williams leaves as Autogrill appoints Wilton (2 September 2008)
• Bust and boom with Alitalia rescue plan (1 September 2008)
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