Eurostar breaks records with passenger growth

Eurostar has broken records with the highest ever number of passengers in the last three months.

The high-speed passenger rail service between the UK and mainland Europe said more than 2.8 million customers travelled in the second quarter of 2015 – up 3% on the same time last year.  

Business Premier passenger numbers rose by 10% compared with last year.

It follows sales revenues in the first quarter of the year being affected by terrorist attacks in Paris and the closure of Eurotunnel following a lorry fire. 

As a result, overall sales revenues for the half year are down 2% year-on-year. 

Eurostar said its new all year round direct service to the South of France which launched on May 1 has attracted strong sales so far.

Its new fleet of trains, which will increase seat capacity, are on schedule to be launched at the end of the year. 

Nicolas Petrovic, chief executive, Eurostar, said:"Over the last three months we have carried more passengers than in any other quarter.  With demand for our services at an all-time high we are looking forward to the arrival of our new trains."