Eurostar business passengers rise 12 per cent in ‘record’ year of growth

​Eurostar's business passenger market increased by 12 per cent last year while overall passenger numbers swelled to 11m.

The high speed rail link between London and the continent saw passenger numbers increase by a record seven per cent  from 10.3m in 2017 to 11m last year, while sales revenues increased 12 per cent from £880m in 2017 to £989m in 2018. Unaudited operating profit came in at £96.6m last year.

The results come as Eurostar celebrates 25 years of service. In that time it has carried over 190m passengers.

Eurostar said the boosted numbers were down to a "buoyant" business travel market, strong US traveller numbers – which increased nine per cent on last year –and the launch of Eurostar’s new service between London and Amsterdam last summer.

Eurostar chief executive Mike Cooper said: “Over the last 25 years Eurostar has led the way in cross-Channel travel, cementing the links between the UK and mainland Europe. The popularity of our new service between London and Amsterdam shows the growing appetite among customers for international high-speed rail travel and a sustainable alternative to the airlines.”