Rail Cargo Logistics Goldair (RCL Goldair) CEO, Mr Zak Kiseoglou, says his company has submitted an application to the Greek Regulatory Authority for Railways (RAS) seeking authorisation for the operation of passenger services on the Greek network. According to local media reports, RCL Goldair is also looking to launch direct passenger services between Athens and a destination in central Europe, with Vienna considered the most likely destination. RCL Goldair became the first open-access rail freight operator in Greece when it began operating regular services between Idomeni and Thessaloniki last July. The company has already invested €3.5m in the launch of its Greek rail freight operations and plans to spend €20m over 3-5 years. With the liberalisation of the passenger market and the Athens - Thessaloniki upgrade nearing completion, RCL Goldair is now looking to enter the passenger sector. However, incumbent operator Trainose, which was sold to Italian State Railways (FS) in September 2017, is also studying how it might capitalise on the step-change in infrastructure quality on Greece’s main passenger route. In September 2018 Trainose tested a Trenitalia Pendolino EMU at speeds of up to 213km/h on the Katerini - Thessaloniki section of the line. Trainose has not yet disclosed when or if it intends to launch commercial operation of Pendolinos in Greece.