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Last Updated: Thursday, 11 January 2007, 08:37 GMT
Airport woes boost Eurostar sales
Eurostar
Eurostar says it expects demand to remain strong in 2007
Channel Tunnel rail operator Eurostar has reported a record rise in sales and passenger numbers for 2006.

Sales rose 11.7% to £518.3m (774m euros; $1bn) last year, while the number of travellers using the firm's services climbed 5.4% to 7.85 million.

Tightened airline security and foggy weather at UK airports in December, which caused widespread disruption to flights, helped lift Eurostar.

The firm forecast that demand for its services would remain strong in 2007.

"We expect 2007 to be another good year," said chief executive Richard Brown, adding that the Tour de France in July and the France-hosted Rugby World Cup in the autumn were already generating strong demand.

When launched, Eurostar was owned by French state-run railway operator SNCF, Belgium's SNCB and British Rail.

The UK interests are currently held by Eurostar UK.


SEE ALSO
Eurostar cuts protests stepped up
24 Dec 06 |  Kent
Business class boost for Eurostar
16 Jan 06 |  Business
Eurostar delays as tunnel closes
31 Dec 05 |  Kent
Eurostar 'gains passenger share'
17 Oct 05 |  Kent
Trains connect coast with Europe
12 Dec 05 |  England

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