SNCF new contract on Euro Star Aveila

SNCF Voyageurs has announced a €1.4 billion order with Alstom for 30 new Avelia Horizon double-deck high-speed trains, with an option for 20 more, to expand Eurostar’s international network. These next-generation “Eurostar Celestia” trains will be the first double-deck models to run through the Channel Tunnel, linking the UK with France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. The first six trainsets are scheduled to enter service by May 2031, with deliveries continuing through the decade. The deal underscores SNCF’s long-term vision of increasing capacity and comfort while reducing operating costs and environmental impact across its growing European network.

Each 200-meter train will seat around 540 passengers, or 1,080 in paired operation, boosting Eurostar’s capacity by nearly 20% compared to its current e320 fleet. The Avelia Horizon design emphasizes energy efficiency, lightweight construction, and modular interiors, enabling easier maintenance and flexible configurations for different routes. Equipped with improved digital systems, real-time monitoring, and more efficient traction technology, the trains are expected to consume 20% less energy than their predecessors. Enhanced passenger amenities—such as high-speed Wi-Fi, more luggage space, and redesigned catering areas—aim to raise Eurostar’s onboard experience to airline standards.

The investment forms part of SNCF’s wider framework with Alstom covering up to 145 high-speed trains across Europe. It signals renewed confidence in the recovery of international rail travel after the pandemic and aligns with the EU’s push to shift travelers from air to rail for medium-distance journeys. The new fleet will strengthen Eurostar’s position against both low-cost airlines and new rail entrants, positioning it as a cornerstone of Europe’s green mobility transition and cross-border connectivity strategy.

Image source: Alstom