How does the closure of the Italy-France rail tunnel affect travel?

The authorities are warning about the situation of traffic on the roads which is much busier and the demand for air travel is on the rise. The major railway line connecting France and Italy is unlikely to be in use until summer 2024. This line had to be closed after a landslide in August this year.
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The mountain route is an important transport method for tourists taking advantage of the ski season and the Christmas holiday in the two European countries. With the train line currently inactive this winter, tourists will have to fly or drive between the two destinations. The authorities are warning about the situation of traffic on the roads which is much busier and the demand for air travel is increasing, both of which contribute to higher carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

The main Italy-France railway line closed until summer 2024​

Train services connecting Italy and France have been suspended following a landslide in the Maurienne Valley area on August 27. Approximately 10,000 cubic meters of rock fell after heavy rain in Saint-André à La Praz, about 20 km from the French-Italian border. This forced the Fréjus tunnel, the main route connecting St Michel de Maurienne and Modane, to temporarily close. More than a week after the incident, the tunnel reopened for transit.
However, the railway tunnel Fréjus nearby remains closed for repairs. Initially, this route was expected to reopen after two months, but French authorities now say that the work is more challenging than anticipated. François Ravier, Savoie official and regional director of French railway operator SNCF, told the press that construction will take an additional seven months, hoping to complete it by summer 2024. According to the Italian newspaper La Stampa, efforts are still underway to ensure safety in the area affected by the landslide. It is predicted that this route might reopen in June 2024, although services may still be suspended until September, impacting the busy summer season.

How does the closure of the Italy-France railway tunnel affect tourism?​

Major railway services are impacted due to the continuing closure of the Fréjus railway tunnel. TGV and Frecciarossa trains between Paris and Milan are not operating and freight trains must also find alternative solutions. According to the Transalpine Lyon-Turin Railway Committee, this means "long and costly detours through Switzerland." The committee stated that travelers are expected to "switch to using cars for medium-distance trips and flights for long distances." France is trying to reduce short-haul flights.
The flight route between Paris and Milan is currently one of the busiest routes in Europe. The Spanish low-cost airline Volotea has announced additional flights on the route to meet rising demand.

Travelers driving between Maurienne and the Susa Valley as well as on the Turin ring road should prepare for heavier traffic. Furthermore, the Mont Blanc tunnel is expected to close from October 16 to December 18 for maintenance, which could cause greater disruptions as the Christmas season approaches. According to the Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore, preparations are underway for a 'transport center' at the Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne station for the 2023-24 ski season. From here, TGV passengers will be able to take shuttle buses to the resorts in the area.