Eurostar Reports Increase In H1 Sales And Passenger Numbers
Released on: August 06, 2010, 12:03 pm
Author:
Eurostar
Industry: Travel
Eurostar, the high speed rail service between the UK and
mainland Europe, has reported a 6% rise in passenger numbers and an 18%
increase in revenue during the first six months of 2010. This growth is
due in part to the impact of the ash cloud disruption* but also
reflects a strengthening of the business market and an underlying
increase in both business and leisure travellers during the period.
Over the last six months there has been a notable increase in the number of
passengers choosing Eurostar and high speed rail as an
alternative to short haul air travel in Europe. Shorter journey times to the South
of France, Germany and the Netherlands** are prompting customers to take advantage
of the ease and comfort of city centre to city centre travel.
The number of international passengers is also on the increase as visitors from the
US and Australia in particular see travelling by Eurostar as an integral part of
their European tour. June reported a very strong performance in international sales
revenues which were up 24% in comparison to the same period last year.
To meet the increase in demand for its services over the summer, Eurostar has
announced that during August it will put on 20 extra trains - four each weekend - to
and from Paris with every seat available at a special price of £69 return.
Nicolas Petrovic, Chief Executive of Eurostar, said:"Over the last six months, we
have delivered strong growth in both business and leisure bookings. As the economic
environment has strengthened we have seen uplift in the business market and an
overall increase in the number of passengers travelling.
"Whilst our core routes continue to be busy more and more people are opting to
travel further afield and explore new destinations by train. Forward bookings are
looking strong and with the increasing appetite for high speed rail travel in
Europe, the trend looks set to continue."
Notes to Editors:
*During the ash cloud disruption Eurostar put on 70 extra trains and carried 100,000
more passengers than were scheduled to travel at that time.
** Eurostar is the high-speed train service linking St Pancras International,
Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International, Paris, Brussels, Lille, Calais, Disneyland Paris, Avignon and the French Alps.
About Eurostar:
Eurostar is the high-speed rail service directly linking the UK to France and
Belgium via the Channel Tunnel. The fastest London-Paris Eurostar journey time is 2
hours 15 minutes, London-Brussels 1 hours 51 minutes and London-Lille just 1 hour 20
minutes. Eurostar offers
Eurostar is a founder member of Railteam, a partnership between Europe's leading
high-speed train operators that is developing simpler ways to book and travel on the
fast-expanding, European high-speed rail network.
Eurostar and Eurotunnel are entirely separate companies. Eurostar operates
high-speed passenger trains, while Eurotunnel operates vehicle shuttle services and
the Channel Tunnel itself. Eurostar is Eurotunnel’s biggest customer.
PR contact:
Richard Holligan
Senior Press Officer
Eurostar Press Office
Times House
Regent Quarter
Bravingtons Walk
London
N1 9AW
0044 (0)20 7843 5500
www.eurostar.com
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