Eurostar has reported a 3 per cent rise in business travel in the first half of 2013 when compared to the same period last year.
The train operator also revealed that passenger numbers as a whole were up by 2 per cent year-on-year, from 4.8 million to 4.9 million.
Passenger traffic had remained the same in the first quarter of 2013, due to "extended periods of adverse weather", but increased by 4 per cent in the second quarter.
Sales revenues grew from £425 million to £453 million, a 7 per cent jump.
Nicolas Petrovic, chief executive of Eurostar, said: "The overall outlook for the business markets is more positive reflecting signs of greater economic stability, particularly in the UK.
"We have seen a return to more normal patterns of business travel which were impacted negatively in the first half of 2012 ahead of the opening of the London 2012 Games."
He added: "We have delivered a strong performance in the first half of 2013, characterised by new routes, extra services and increasing sales revenues."
Eurostar added that it increased capacity for this summer by adding more than 200 services between London and Paris due to high demand.
A statement said: "Growth has been most marked within the UK and international (passengers originating outside the EU) markets, reflecting recent signs of an improvement in the economic environment in these areas."
Last month, the EU said a reduction in "excessive" Channel Tunnel toll fees would result in lower passenger fares and more customers (see online news, June 20).
Graham Smith
