French get the go ahead to take control of Eurostar
French national rail operator SNCF has been the go ahead by the European Commission to take sole management control of Eurostar.
However, it was forced to give commitments not to block the entry of new operators on cross-Channel routes from London to Brussels and Paris.
The UK sold its 40% stake in Eurostar to Quebec pension fund CDPQ in March for £565 million. Belgian national rail operator SNCB has a 5% stake in the company.
Eurostar is the only operator on the cross-Channel route, but SNCF must make train routes and facilities available to competitors if they want to launch services. German company Deutsche Bahn has expressed a serious interest but has not given any date for the launch of new cross-Channel routes.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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