Eurostar has recorded a “resilient” start to 2015 despite several major disruptions.
Passenger numbers remained the same as in 2014 at 2.3 million. Eurostar services were impacted in January first by the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attacks in Paris and then by a lorry fire in the Channel Tunnel.
Although passenger numbers as a whole were unchanged, business travel continued to improve in the first three months of 2015, increasing by 7 per cent.
Sales revenue was impacted by both the events in January and movements in the exchange rate. Revenues were down 6 per cent from £227 million to £215 million.
Nicolas Petrovic, chief executive Eurostar, said: “We are on countdown to the launch of our new South of France service and ticket sales are gathering pace.
“Whilst the UK business market has been strong for some time, we are now seeing the same trend on the other side of the channel. With forward bookings up on this time last year we are gearing up for a busy summer period.”
