During a Europe-wide press briefing covered by multiple outlets on 5 November, the European Commission presented a blueprint for a continent-wide high-speed rail network to be completed by 2040. The plan, highlighted in a Guardian live blog, foresees new lines and upgrades that will slash journey times: Paris–Berlin in under four hours, Paris–Madrid in five, and Paris–Amsterdam in just 2 h 30.
Strategic context. The proposal dovetails with the EU’s ‘Shift2Rail’ decarbonisation targets and complements France’s domestic commitment to ban short-haul flights where a rail alternative under 2 h 30 exists. For French multinationals, the expanded grid could re-route a significant share of intra-EU business trips from air to rail, affecting travel-policy carbon budgets and airline corporate-contract negotiations.
![Brussels unveils 2040 high-speed rail map cutting Paris–Berlin to 4 h: what it means for corporate travel]()
Infrastructure in France. SNCF Réseau confirmed that the Bordeaux–Toulouse and Montpellier–Perpignan high-speed segments, already funded, will now be integrated into a new Atlantic-Mediterranean corridor. France will also study a direct Grand Est connection to Frankfurt capable of 320 km/h operations.
Business travel implications. Travel-managers should reassess door-to-door times: once border controls are fully digital under EES, rail could become faster than air on many routes when airport security waiting times are included. Companies with Science Based Targets initiatives may incentivise employees to choose rail by offering premium-class seating parity with airline business class.
Next steps. Member states have until June 2026 to lodge financing commitments; France is expected to seek Recovery-Fund top-ups and public-private partnerships to meet its share of the €550 billion price tag.
Strategic context. The proposal dovetails with the EU’s ‘Shift2Rail’ decarbonisation targets and complements France’s domestic commitment to ban short-haul flights where a rail alternative under 2 h 30 exists. For French multinationals, the expanded grid could re-route a significant share of intra-EU business trips from air to rail, affecting travel-policy carbon budgets and airline corporate-contract negotiations.
Infrastructure in France. SNCF Réseau confirmed that the Bordeaux–Toulouse and Montpellier–Perpignan high-speed segments, already funded, will now be integrated into a new Atlantic-Mediterranean corridor. France will also study a direct Grand Est connection to Frankfurt capable of 320 km/h operations.
Business travel implications. Travel-managers should reassess door-to-door times: once border controls are fully digital under EES, rail could become faster than air on many routes when airport security waiting times are included. Companies with Science Based Targets initiatives may incentivise employees to choose rail by offering premium-class seating parity with airline business class.
Next steps. Member states have until June 2026 to lodge financing commitments; France is expected to seek Recovery-Fund top-ups and public-private partnerships to meet its share of the €550 billion price tag.
