SNCF reports challenging summer operations despite stable passenger volumes

SNCF presented its summer 2026 performance, noting that passenger traffic remained comparable to the record-setting year before, even as climate-related challenges strained operations. Heatwaves and forest fires disrupted service, prompting the railway to prioritize uninterrupted travel with minimal discomfort. The operator achieved 97% of its transport plan and ran roughly 726,000 trains across July and August.

Climate impacts led to a twofold increase in train cancellations and a significant rise in minutes lost versus the previous summer. Overall punctuality stalled, and the share of trips delayed more than three hours grew by about half. New chief executive Jean-Aimé Mougenot, appointed in July, stressed the focus on service continuity under these adverse conditions.