Eurostar has seen a 6 per cent increase in business travellers in the first half of this year, it has reported.
The cross-Channel operator today posted "strong levels" of business passengers compared to the same period last year.
In a statement, it said: "As well as the strengthening of the economy reported in the UK in recent quarters, Eurostar is now also seeing some improvement in France with encouraging signs of growth in business travel on both sides of the Channel."
Overall, Eurostar said its passenger numbers rose by 2 per cent in the six months to June 30, to five million from 4.9 million in the same period in 2013. Sales revenues rose by 0.5 per cent from £453 million to £456 million.
Eurostar added that leisure travel demand had been hit by a "convergence" of the Easter and May holidays in the UK, which saw passengers travelling only once when normally would have booked twice, and people staying at home to watch the World Cup.
Chief executive Nicolas Petrovic said: "Whilst a number of factors in the second quarter of the year lead to a dampening in demand, we are now beginning to see a more benign trading environment with encouraging signs of economic stability in France as well as the UK.
"These more favourable conditions have helped deliver strong growth in business travel across our markets."
Yesterday, Eurostar announced it is closing its business lounge at Brussels-Midi on August 2 in order to carry out refurbishment works (see news, July 16).
Graham Smith
