New routes underline Eurostar growth

Eurostar has seen a resurgence in business class passengers, with the high-speed service benefiting from ‘greater economic stability’ in the UK.

The cross-channel train operator has announced ‘strong’ growth in the first half of this year, with passenger numbers and sales revenue increasing by 2 per cent and 7 per cent respectively.

In the first six months of 2013, Eurostar has seen passenger numbers increase significantly, adding 200 additional services between London and Paris to keep up with demand.

Nicolas Petrovic, chief executive of Eurostar, said: “We have delivered a strong performance in the first half of 2013, characterised by new routes, extra services and increasing sales revenues.

We have delivered a strong performance in the first half of 2013, characterised by new routes, extra services and increasing sales revenues.
“A trip on Eurostar continues to be a big draw for international and European travellers alike. We have seen a surge in booking from outside Europe and our new service to Provence has proved a great success with many services running at full capacity.”

Petrovic said that new routes linking ski resorts in the Swiss Alps and another connecting Lyon, Avignon (TGV) and Aix-en-Provence (TGV) have attributed to the continued growth.

Business class passenger numbers also showed signs of improvement, increasing by 3 per cent.

“The overall outlook for the business markets is more positive reflecting signs of greater economic stability, particularly in the UK,” Petrovic added.

“We have seen a return to more normal patterns of business travel which were impacted negatively in the first half of 2012 ahead of the opening of the London 2012 Games.”




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