High fuel costs boost Eurostar
Eurostar has reported a 17% rise in business travellers in the first six months of 2005 as high fuel costs continued to impact airlines.
The train operator said its total number of passengers hit 3.68 million, an 8% rise on the same period last year with business travellers accounting for approximately a third.
Sales in the first half of the year grew 14% to £245 million while market share to Paris hit almost 70% and Brussels just over 62%.
Eurostar director of communications Paul Charles said the high oil prices have benefited the operator.
“More travellers are choosing Eurostar in a climate where higher oil prices have led to higher airline fares,” he said. Some fares have risen as much as £16 on London to Paris, he added.
The refurbishment of trains, which now offer power sockets, was also proving a hit with business travellers, said Charles.
Eurostar is to introduce three classes of service from September 1, first class, business premier and standard.
Report by Steve Jones
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