Eurostar has told RAIL that it aims to start running London-Amsterdam trains from Easter 2018.
At around that time (March), Chief Executive Nicolas Petrovic will be leaving the company to join Siemens, although an exact date has yet to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, Eurostar reports an increase in passenger numbers for Q3 2017 (July-September) compared with the corresponding period in 2016 - up 4% from 2.58 million in Q3 2016 to 2.69 million. Sales revenue for the quarter is up 15% from £184 million in 2016 to £211m.
Over the first nine months of 2017, passenger volume rose 2% from 7.55 million in 2016 to 7.73 million, while sales increased from £593m to £666m (12%).
The company said growth was propelled by a significant increase in passengers from outside Europe - particularly from the United States, which had grown 24% year-on-year. Other overseas markets grew 18%. This has been attributed to taking advantage of the favourable exchange rates.
Business travel is also reported as “solid”, with a 6% increase in the first nine months of 2017, and by 10% in Q3.
Christmas bookings are also up, with a 29% increase on the festive holiday period compared with last year.
Sales revenue is the value of the ticket bookings made during the period. This revenue is only recognised in the income statement at the date on which the passenger actually travels.
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Noam Bleicher - 19/10/2017 10:52
Will there be customs and passport facilities at Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp? The direct services from Marseille have to jump through ridiculous hoops to sastisfy UK customs requirements because there are no customs facilities at Marseille, Avignon or Lyon.
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Stefan - 28/10/2017 23:04
There won't be customs facilities at Antwerp. The service to the UK will NOT stop at Antwerp, only the one coming from the UK will stop there. Amsterdam will get temporary facilities until the eventual hall is completed. Rotterdam will get the basic facilities, which will get expanded in due time. For both Amsterdam and Rotterdam there might be a temporary set-up, which will have their passengers disembarking at Brussels South/Midi if the facilities do not get completed before april.
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Noam - 30/10/2017 10:48
Thanks Stefan. That's a shame about Antwerp but good news about the two Dams. It's quite telling that on a journey planner, some 'direct' trains from the midi to St Pancras are shown as taking longer than those with a change at Lille!
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Liz Watson - 02/01/2018 14:35
When will the tickets for Amsterdamdirect go on sale for the Easter start? Do I risk waiting or book the existing route and hope the tickets can be exchanged?
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