RECORD YEAR FOR EUROSTAR

EUROSTAR has reported a record year in 2005, both in sales and passenger numbers.

With a 14% increase over the previous year in what Eurostar calls “Business Premier” traffic, there is every indication that the train really is making a comeback, at least on cross Channel services, says the weekly Air & Business Travel News bulletin (http://www.abtn.co.uk/).

During 2005, Eurostar recorded its highest ever market share, taking 71% of the London – Paris and 64% of the London – Brussels air/rail routes.

Punctuality in 2005, at 86.3%, was much better than the punctuality rates of airline competitors operating on the London to Paris and Brussels routes. Recent data from the Civil Aviation Authority shows that punctuality at Heathrow Airport has remained below 70%.

A tenth daily weekday service is being introduced between London and Brussels, beginning 13 February, with onward connections to Amsterdam and Cologne.

In 2007 Eurostar will switch to St Pancras International. Journey times will fall further with London – Paris down to 2 hours 15 minutes; London – Brussels 1 hour 51 minutes and London – Lille just 1 hour 20 minutes.

SOURCE RAILNEWS