Eurostar reports record passenger growth

Eurostar has its highest-ever quarterly passenger result, with more than 2.8m customers travelling between the United Kingdom and the continent in the second quarter.

Channel Tunnel high-speed train company Eurostar said it notched up record passenger numbers despite disruption from last month’s strikes in Calais.

It received a boost from the launch of a new direct service between London and the south of France, as well as a 10pc surge in business travellers.

Last month, striking ferry workers in Calais closed the port and blocked services using the Channel Tunnel.

Second quarter revenues rose by 1.5% to £232 million after the buoyant demand, according to Eurostar.

Despite an increase in sales revenue in the last quarter, revenue for the year overall was down, having been impacted by the Paris terrorist attacks and a lorry fire in the tunnel.

Large movements in foreign exchange rates also had an impact on sales and the group said with this stripped out, half year revenues were 4% higher.

Eurostar’s Business Premier passenger numbers rose 10 per cent in Q2 compared to the same period previous year. The strong sales of tickets are testament to the enduring appeal of the Mediterranean and Provence which offer travelers the quintessential French holiday experience. With its proximity to the French Alps, Lyon provides a convenient gateway with easy road and rail connections to a range of popular ski resorts. The trains will have more seat capacity and will be launched by the end of the year.

Eurostar is also refurbishing some of its existing fleet, the first of which will be ready for service in the coming weeks. “The combination of state-of-the-art design, unrivalled comfort and 20 per cent extra seats means that we are well placed to meet the growing demand as passengers increasingly opt for high speed rail over plane”.