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Business travel boosts Eurostar sales

Wednesday, 18 February 20153 min read

Eurostar passenger numbers rose 3% to 10.4 million last year.

Meanwhile, sales revenues increased by 1% to £867 million.

The rail operator said the improvement was underpinned, in particular, by the strong recovery in the UK economy which pushed up business travel by 4% over 2013.

The business also achieved year-on-year growth in underlying profitability with like-for-like operating profit up 2% in 2014 to £55 million.

In November, Eurostar announced its decision to buy seven additional e320s to meet growing demand.

Carrying 900 passengers, these trains will boost capacity per train by 20% and will reach speeds of 200 mph.

In total, Eurostar is investing over £1 billion in its fleet and its service and will be introducing 17 new trains over the next three years.

In May, Eurostar is launching a new all year-round direct service to the South of France stopping in Lyon, Avignon and Marseille.