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12/01/04 - Latest results signal new era for Eurostar
Record fourth quarter for number of passengers carried
· Increased market share on London-Paris and London-Brussels routes at expense of all airlines
· Channel Tunnel Rail Link helps to deliver "superior performance"
· Punctuality increases to average of 87%
· 20% of UK sales now through Eurostar.com
· New 10-minute check-in for business travellers from Jan 20th
Eurostar, the high-speed train service that carries passengers between the UK, France and Belgium, today announced it had experienced the best fourth quarter in its history, with nearly 1.7 million customers travelling.
Between October and December 2003, Eurostar carried 1.69 million passengers through the Channel Tunnel, an increase of 15% on the same period in 2002 when 1.47 million customers travelled.
Market share also increased against all air competitors in a highly competitive market, where consumers are searching for good value pricing. The latest available figures showed that Eurostar had a 66% share of the London-Paris rail/air route, compared with 13% for its nearest competitor, British Airways. On the London-Brussels route, Eurostar increased its share to 48%, whereas all its competitors saw their share fall.
The period was marked by the launch of the first section of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link in theUK
With the opening of the new high-speed line in theUK
Paul Charles, Director of Communications, Eurostar, said: "There has been a successful rebirth of Eurostar. Although 2003 started off with a bleak outlook and low consumer confidence, a mix of the new high-speed line, a fresh management team, and a refocused strategy has enabled Eurostar to begin 2004 - its 10th anniversary year - in upbeat mood. Travellers between theUK France Belgium
The redesign and stronger promotion of the Eurostar website, Eurostar.com, have also led to higher sales, with over 20% of tickets sold in theUK
The strong fourth quarter performance largely offset a slower start to the year, where the effects of the war inIraq
Sales during 2003 were £375.9m, 8% lower than the 2002 figure of £407.9m. However, in the fourth quarter, sales increased by 11% to £98m, compared with £88m in the same period in 2002.
Eurostar also announced today that it would be introducing a new 10-minute check-in for business travellers from 20th January. The 30-minute check-in remains for passengers holding leisure tickets.
Paul Charles continued: "As we prepare for our 10th birthday in November, we will further enhance customer experience, starting with the 10-minute check-in at all of our stations. The short check-in time makes it even easier for business travellers to get to their destination faster, especially with the seamless Eurostar city-centre to city-centre service."
Other plans for 2004:
· Fully refurbished train interiors
· New uniforms
· New shopping area at Eurostar check-in at Paris Gare du Nord station
· Completion of "Project Jupiter" ownership structure
· Eurostar will be at the heart of the Entente Cordiale celebrations
· Eurostar is official UK carrier for Lille 2004 European Capital of Culture
· Events to mark Eurostar's 10th birthday
Editor's Notes:
1. Eurostar is the fast train service linking London, Ashford, Paris, Brussels, Lille, Avignon, Calais, Disneyland Resort Paris and the French Alps.
2. Eurostar services are now up to 40 minutes faster for return journeys, as the recently opened Channel Tunnel Rail Link enables trains to run at speeds of up to 186mph (300 kmh).
3. Eurostar was recently named "World's Leading Rail Service" in the 2003 World Travel Awards.
· Increased market share on London-Paris and London-Brussels routes at expense of all airlines
· Channel Tunnel Rail Link helps to deliver "superior performance"
· Punctuality increases to average of 87%
· 20% of UK sales now through Eurostar.com
· New 10-minute check-in for business travellers from Jan 20th
Eurostar, the high-speed train service that carries passengers between the UK, France and Belgium, today announced it had experienced the best fourth quarter in its history, with nearly 1.7 million customers travelling.
Between October and December 2003, Eurostar carried 1.69 million passengers through the Channel Tunnel, an increase of 15% on the same period in 2002 when 1.47 million customers travelled.
Market share also increased against all air competitors in a highly competitive market, where consumers are searching for good value pricing. The latest available figures showed that Eurostar had a 66% share of the London-Paris rail/air route, compared with 13% for its nearest competitor, British Airways. On the London-Brussels route, Eurostar increased its share to 48%, whereas all its competitors saw their share fall.
The period was marked by the launch of the first section of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link in the
With the opening of the new high-speed line in the
Paul Charles, Director of Communications, Eurostar, said: "There has been a successful rebirth of Eurostar. Although 2003 started off with a bleak outlook and low consumer confidence, a mix of the new high-speed line, a fresh management team, and a refocused strategy has enabled Eurostar to begin 2004 - its 10th anniversary year - in upbeat mood. Travellers between the
The redesign and stronger promotion of the Eurostar website, Eurostar.com, have also led to higher sales, with over 20% of tickets sold in the
The strong fourth quarter performance largely offset a slower start to the year, where the effects of the war in
Sales during 2003 were £375.9m, 8% lower than the 2002 figure of £407.9m. However, in the fourth quarter, sales increased by 11% to £98m, compared with £88m in the same period in 2002.
Eurostar also announced today that it would be introducing a new 10-minute check-in for business travellers from 20th January. The 30-minute check-in remains for passengers holding leisure tickets.
Paul Charles continued: "As we prepare for our 10th birthday in November, we will further enhance customer experience, starting with the 10-minute check-in at all of our stations. The short check-in time makes it even easier for business travellers to get to their destination faster, especially with the seamless Eurostar city-centre to city-centre service."
Other plans for 2004:
· Fully refurbished train interiors
· New uniforms
· New shopping area at Eurostar check-in at Paris Gare du Nord station
· Completion of "Project Jupiter" ownership structure
· Eurostar will be at the heart of the Entente Cordiale celebrations
· Eurostar is official UK carrier for Lille 2004 European Capital of Culture
· Events to mark Eurostar's 10th birthday
Editor's Notes:
1. Eurostar is the fast train service linking London, Ashford, Paris, Brussels, Lille, Avignon, Calais, Disneyland Resort Paris and the French Alps.
2. Eurostar services are now up to 40 minutes faster for return journeys, as the recently opened Channel Tunnel Rail Link enables trains to run at speeds of up to 186mph (300 kmh).
3. Eurostar was recently named "World's Leading Rail Service" in the 2003 World Travel Awards.
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