Eurostar achieves record market share

• 59% share of London-Brussels rail/air market
• 66% share of London-Paris rail/air market
• More airlines cut their services on Eurostar routes
• New strategy to target business travellers

Eurostar, the high-speed passenger train service that links the UK with France and Belgium, has recorded its highest ever market share on the London-Brussels route. The figures, compiled using data from the Civil Aviation Authority for July 2004, cement Eurostar’s position as the market leader on both the London-Brussels and London-Paris routes.

Between London and Brussels, Eurostar had a 59% share of the market, up from 47% in July last year. Eurostar saw its year-on-year passenger volumes for the month jump by 26%. Passengers have been attracted by frequent services and an all Belgian stations ticket policy, which enables travellers to go to any station in Belgium at no extra cost.

On the London-Paris route, Eurostar had a 66% market share, up from 60% in July 2003. Passenger volumes increased by 22% year-on-year, while all airline competitors saw their market share fall.

The higher market shares are revealed as competitors continue to cut their services. British Airways is closing its Gatwick-Paris service from the end of October while Easyjet is cutting its Luton-Paris frequency from five flights a day to three. The moves follow service closures by Ryanair earlier this year.

Paul Charles, Director of Communications, Eurostar, said: “High-speed rail has proved too strong for British Airways, Ryanair and EasyJet. Our growth in market share proves we have a compelling product that passengers are choosing above air travel. We will go on making substantial improvements to our service while the airport and airline experience continues to deteriorate.”

Eurostar is also unveiling a new business strategy, to try to win more business travellers. The strategy is being delivered in several stages, the latest being the introduction of a new first class onboard environment featuring snooze-friendly seating and power sockets for laptops and mobile phones. The strategy is being supported by a £1.4 million advertising campaign featuring a new character called Mr. Jetset. The campaign highlights the many negative aspects of flying by plane, including the inability to work productively.