Eurostar selects Alstom for 30 Avelia Horizon high-speed trains
Eurostar is expanding its fleet with 30 new Alstom Avelia Horizon high-speed trains in a deal worth nearly €1.4 billion. The trains will operate across multiple European countries and will be the first double-deck high-speed trains to travel through the Channel Tunnel.
French train manufacturer Alstom has secured a significant order from Eurostar for 30 new Avelia Horizon high-speed trains. The contract, approved by the SNCF Voyageurs board, is valued at nearly €1.4 billion and includes options for up to 20 additional trains, with deliveries expected to commence in 2031.
The order specifies the four-voltage version of the Avelia Horizon, designed for international service across Europe. These trains will operate under the Eurostar brand in Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Notably, they will travel to London (St. Pancras International) via the Channel Tunnel, a first for a double-deck high-speed train.
Alstom CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge stated that Eurostar's choice of the Avelia Horizon confirms its desire to combine technological performance, energy efficiency, and passenger comfort. He added that the new generation train meets the demands of international high-speed traffic and embodies a vision for sustainable and competitive European mobility.
This order represents the third tranche of the framework contract between SNCF Voyageurs and Alstom, adding to the 115 trains already ordered by SNCF Voyageurs. Alstom leverages over 40 years of expertise in high-speed rail, developing the Avelia Horizon as its latest double-deck generation capable of speeds exceeding 300 km/h, offering high capacity and comfort.