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Eurostar gains as business travellers switch from airlines
Eurostar has claimed a record year in 2005 with sales up 7% to £464 million and 2.4% more passengers carried at 7.5 million.
The high speed Channel Tunnel rail service claims to have become the “carrier of choice” for business travellers with 14% more business tickets sold than in 2004.
Eurostar’s trade partners, including travel management companies, tour operators and travel agents, generated more than 40% of total sales while a further 30% of tickets were booked online via Eurostar.com.
The company has carried more than 68 million people since starting services in 1994.
Eurostar recorded its highest ever market share, taking 71% of the London-Paris and 64% of the London-Brussels air/rail routes.
Punctuality, at 86.3%, was “much better” than airline competitors operating on the London/Paris/Brussels routes, the train company claimed. Recent data from the Civil Aviation Authority shows that punctuality at Heathrow Airport has remained below 70%.
A 10th daily weekday service is being introduced between London and Brussels on February 13. To help travellers wanting to book further ahead, tickets can now be bought up to four months in advance.
Chief executive Richard Brown said: “Our focus on business travellers is paying off. We’re delivering the full premier service they need in order to be prepared for the business day ahead. As some airlines cut out their business-class cabins, they’re also cutting out their customers.
“As demand for Eurostar grows, we’ll continue to add more services, such as the new 10th daily weekday train to and from Brussels. Our mission is clear – to bring long-haul standards to short-haul travel.”
Eurostar is making detailed plans for its move to St. Pancras International in 2007 – when the entire service will switch from Waterloo. The government has announced that Eurostar’s existing platforms will be converted for use by domestic train services into and out of Waterloo.
Report by Phil Davies
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