Eurostar passenger figures rose by 2 per cent to 9.9 million in 2012, with more and more international travellers using the service.
The company recorded an operating profit of £52.3 million last year – more than double the £25 million delivered in 2011.
The number of leisure passengers grew by 3 per cent last year thanks to the London Olympics and Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
More international visitors also used the service in 2012, up 8 per cent on the previous year.
Nicolas Petrovic, chief executive of Eurostar, said: “Despite the challenging economic climate, we delivered a strong performance in 2012.
Today’s results are testament to the substantial growth opportunities within the business and the continuing drive to unlock this potential.
“The combination of the Olympic Games and the Jubilee gave London a major boost showcasing the city as a prime travel destination.
“Growth in traveller numbers was particularly strong in the fourth quarter of the year as European and international travellers flocked to the capital.”
Sales revenues in 2012 were broadly flat year-on-year at £799 million versus £803 million in 2011, but the company has attributed the results to the heavy impact of fluctuations in the exchange rates.
Nicolas Petrovic added: “The next couple of years will see the transformation of our business with a range of initiatives including the delivery of a new fleet and the launch of new services.
“Today’s results are testament to the substantial growth opportunities within the business and the continuing drive to unlock this potential.”
Eurostar is investing £700 million in its new fleet of e320 trains and the overhaul of its existing fleet.
