Virgin Trains has been granted permission by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to operate train services between London and Paris, Amsterdam, and Brussels. This decision, announced on Monday, allows Sir Richard Branson's company to run up to 20 return services to continental Europe from October 2030 onwards.
The ORR's approval means Virgin Trains will be the first operator to challenge Eurostar's long-standing operation of train journeys through the Channel Tunnel, which began in 1994. Virgin Trains described the decision as an "opportunity to bring competition" to the route.
To proceed, Virgin Trains must secure access to other rail networks, obtain safety approvals, and acquire sufficient rolling stock. The operator is reportedly close to a deal for a dozen Avelia Stream high-speed trains from Alstom. Virgin has also secured space at Eurostar’s Temple Mills depot, which connects directly to the High Speed 1 line.