Eurostar reports a strong performance in quarter 1 2017
Sales revenues and passenger numbers up year-on-year
US traveller numbers up 13% versus 2016
Number of UK business travellers up 9% compared with last year
Eurostar, the high-speed rail service between the UK and mainland Europe, today reported a positive first quarter in 2017. Sales revenues were up 15% year-on-year (£232 million 2017: £201 million 2016) underpinned by a strong performance in the business travel and overseas markets. Passenger numbers for the period were up by 2% (2.27m 2017: 2.23m 2016).
Boost in demand from markets outside Europe The increase in travellers originating from markets outside Europe that was reported in the early part of this year continued throughout quarter 1 with the number of passengers from the US and the rest of the world growing by 13% and 18% respectively.
Nicolas Petrovic, Chief Executive of Eurostar, said: “The last quarter has been marked by a resurgence in the number of overseas travellers coming to Europe, buoyed up in part by the favourable exchange rates. With our new-state-of-the-art trains offering increased capacity, we are well-placed to take advantage of the growth in visitors coming to our destinations.”
Strong performance in business travel The business travel market is proving robust with the overall volume of business travellers up by 6% in the first three months of the year. This trend is particularly true of the UK, where the volume of business passengers has risen by 9% year-on-year in the first quarter.
The combination of wifi connectivity, productive working time onboard and a new business lounge in Paris, is reinforcing the convenience and ease of high speed rail for the business traveller. Major investment in the London-Brussels service Over the last year Eurostar has made a significant investment in the London-Brussels service. In addition to an extensive renovation of the Eurostar terminal, the company is now introducing the new e320 trains on the London-Brussels route.
From the end of May, passengers travelling between London and Brussels will see a step-change in the travel experience with the enhanced style, technology and features of the new Eurostar fleet.
The introduction of the e320 on the Brussels route and the upgrading of the Eurostar space in Brussels-Midi station are the latest in a series of investments that Eurostar is making in its trains, its stations and its service.
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Notes to editors:
Over the next eighteen months Eurostar will complete the introduction of 17 new e320 trains and the refurbishment of its original fleet.
Customers travelling by Eurostar can enjoy a range of benefits including:
Seamless city centre to city centre travel, with stations located in the heart of our destinations
Comfort and space on board to work or unwind with wifi connectivity and onboard entertainment
Fast and convenient check-in - passengers are asked to arrive only 30 minutes before departure
Generous, free-of-charge baggage allowance with each passenger allowed 2 bags/suitcases and 1 piece of hand luggage
No queues or baggage reclaim upon arrival - simply take your bag with you on board
Eurostar’s Business Premier service offers the highest standards in short-haul business travel. With fully flexible fares, Business Premier customers enjoy 10 minute express check-in, access to the business lounges as well as complimentary drinks and fine dining in the comfort of their seat.
Definitions:
Sales revenue is the value of ticket bookings made during the period. This revenue is only recognised in the income statement at the date on which the passenger actually travels.
Passenger volumes reflect the number of travellers carried by Eurostar in the period.
For more information please contact: Eurostar Press Office t: 020 7843 5500 e: press.office@eurostar.com