Eurostar, which runs trains from London to Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris though the Channel Tunnel, has reported a record year in 2018.
The train operator saw passenger numbers increase to 11 million, a rise of 7 per cent. The greatest increase was for business travellers, up 12 per cent.
The average annual number of passengers in the 25 years since Eurostar services began is 7.6 million.
Sales also increased by 12 per cent. With total sales of £989m, the average revenue per passenger was £90.
The preliminary unaudited operating profit was just shy of 10 per cent, at £96.6m.
Eurostar said that “strong US traveller numbers” had boosted earnings, with a 9 per cent increase. The launch of services between London and the Netherlands in April 2018 also proved successful – though these remain hampered by the requirement for passengers inbound from Amsterdam and Rotterdam to change trains at Brussels.
The train firm said 250,000 travellers had used the new service.
The necessary passport and security checks are hoped to be in place in the Dutch stations from the end of 2019.
Eurostar’s chief executive, Mike Cooper, said: “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.”
In the past the train operator has warned about the possible impact of Brexit, saying: “There are no benefits or growth opportunity that we could identify from leaving the EU.”
A downturn in traffic to Brussels after the UK leaves the European Union seems likely.
But Eurostar insists: “We plan and expect to maintain services on the existing basis and timetable following Brexit.”
