Certares invests $2.3 billion in European high-speed rail

On October 16, 2026, Greg O'Hara, founder of private equity firm Certares, said at the Skift Transatlantic Summit in Dublin that the company has invested about $2.3 billion in European and UK railways, and expects more European governments to push travelers to shift from short-haul flights to trains. He mentioned that France already has a law banning domestic flights on direct train routes of 2.5 hours or less, with some connecting flights excepted, and said it plans to hold a railway company in French high-speed rail that challenges SNCF, with partner Ferrovie dello.