The rise of new rivals challenging the former Renfe monopoly has sparked a historic shift in Spain’s high‑speed rail market. Liberalization has driven down average ticket prices, boosted train fleets, and pushed passenger numbers upward. In busy corridors, the era of air travel dominance is fading as rail becomes the preferred option.
Renfe, the state group, has faced direct competition since 2021, first from Ouigo, backed by France’s SNCF, and later from Iryo, a joint venture of Trenitalia (45%) and Spanish firms Air Nostrum (31%) and Globalvía (24%) from 2022. These foreign‑backed operators quickly established a strong presence on Madrid–Barcelona, Madrid–Levante, and Madrid–Sur routes, becoming the most attractive offerings in the Spanish market.
While new entrants find favorable conditions to operate in Spain, Renfe’s plans to aggressively promote a high‑speed network in France hit delays. The initial Barcelona–Paris endeavor faced administrative slowness from French authorities, provoking friction within the Spanish rail sector and prompting the government to pressure Paris for parity in operating conditions.
Renfe and Paris: an unresolved objective
For about a decade, through the end of 2022, Renfe and SNCF managed the Barcelona–Paris link via a jointly controlled venture, Ellipsos. When the French partner reorganized to operate independently, Renfe pressed ahead with plans to run its own Barcelona–Paris service. That effort has encountered repeated hurdles, with complaints mounting over what appears to be a significant imbalance in landing opportunities compared with Ouigo’s smoother access to the Spanish market.
Madrid argues that regulatory and bureaucratic obstacles hinder Renfe from entering France on a level field
Renfe extended its activity into the French market last summer, launching Barcelona–Lyon and Madrid–Barcelona–Marseille services. The broader aim is a genuine Paris route debut, anticipated around the Paris Olympic Games, yet the group acknowledges it faces permitting gaps and uncertain timelines. Delays in securing necessary clearances could push back the plan further.
A call for equal treatment
Minister of Transport Óscar Puente emphasized that Renfe should be able to operate in neighboring markets under the same conditions enjoyed by Ouigo in Spain. He expressed a desire for Renfe to begin service to Paris as soon as possible, noting the importance of equal regulatory fairness across borders. The government has reiterated that a liberalized rail market in Europe should allow fair competition, with officials stating the aim is to keep pressure until parity is achieved. The minister is expected to raise the issue in future meetings with French authorities, underscoring the goal of level playing fields for Renfe and its French counterparts.
The government also notes that the French side stresses a stable regulatory framework for liberalization. Official sources confirm that ensuring an open, competitive environment for Renfe on routes like Paris–Lyon remains a priority. The push for clear rules continues as authorities in both countries engage in ongoing discussions to secure a fair operating landscape.
Talgo trains get the green light
After earlier clashes with the European Commission and French competition authorities, France signaled at the 2023 Spain–France bilateral summit a willingness to facilitate Renfe’s Paris service before year’s end. The focus is on agreeing on the certification processes for trains Renfe plans to use in France, even as formal approvals for the new Paris route remain pending. The absence of a firm deadline for certain safety certifications means Renfe cannot yet lock in a definitive start date for Paris operations.
Renfe began testing in France with S‑100 model trains manufactured by Alstom, hoping to smooth the certification route. French officials, however, did not approve that initial configuration for the Paris line. The company now awaits certification for the S‑106 model, known as Avril, which would enable use on the Barcelona–Paris corridor and align with Renfe’s strategy in the French market.
The core hurdle has been the incomplete rollout of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) on the French network. This delay creates a competitive edge for SNCF, which has secured a fixed technology standard on its tracks and a streamlined approval pathway for its services. The outcome of these certification efforts will shape Renfe’s ability to compete on the Paris route and influence broader cross‑border rail liberalization in Europe.
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