Jean Castex, CEO of SNCF, said he cannot guarantee that all railway services will operate perfectly for upcoming holiday departures [1].

The warning comes as France prepares for an exceptional heatwave that is expected to drive a surge in travelers across the national network. Because extreme heat can cause infrastructure failure and operational delays, the admission signals potential volatility for millions of passengers departing for summer vacations.

Speaking during a broadcast of La Grande Matinale, Castex addressed the challenges of maintaining a 100 percent success rate under extreme weather conditions. He said, "Je ne peux pas garantir que tout va marcher à 100 %" [1].

Despite the uncertainty, the former Prime Minister of France emphasized that the company is taking proactive steps to mitigate risks. He said, "Nous nous y préparons" [1].

SNCF is preparing to manage the influx of travelers starting this Friday [2]. The railway company is coordinating resources to handle the increased demand, and the physical toll that high temperatures take on the tracks and rolling stock.

Operational challenges during heatwaves often include rail buckling and power failures, which can lead to sudden speed restrictions or cancellations. By managing expectations early, SNCF aims to prepare the public for possible delays as the network reaches peak capacity during the holiday rush [1, 2].

“"Je ne peux pas garantir que tout va marcher à 100 %"”

The admission from the head of SNCF highlights the growing vulnerability of European transport infrastructure to climate extremes. By publicly acknowledging that perfect service is unlikely, the company is attempting to hedge against public backlash and legal liability should the heatwave trigger systemic failures during one of the busiest travel windows of the year.