Renfe, which operates high speed rail services in Spain, hopes to challenge Eurostar, and has reportedly entered into talks with Spain’s finance ministry over its proposal.

City AM reports the firm will look to secure Channel Tunnel slots to capitalise on demand for the London-Paris route, with Eurostar having faced financial challenges during the Covid crisis necessitating a substantial cash injection from shareholders earlier this year, which include the French government.

“Renfe wants to operate on the Paris-London high-speed line through the Eurotunnel, and has already started initial contacts to compete with Eurostar,” Renfe told the AFP news agency.

According to The Financial Times, Channel Tunnel operator Getlink would be receptive to such a move by Spain’s state-run rail firm.

Eurostar has operated on the route since the mid-1990s and has extended its reach to Belgium and the Netherlands in recent years, competing with European short-haul carriers.

It has, though, never faced competition on its routes from other rail companies. Getlink said the tunnel offered open access to rail operators, suggesting a competitor could enter the market.