Eurostar saw 'sharp drop' in bookings after Paris attacks

[PARIS] Eurostar, the high-speed rail service between Britain and mainland Europe, said Tuesday that passenger numbers dropped sharply after the Paris attacks, but that a recovery was underway.

"Whilst the business saw a sharp drop in passenger numbers in the aftermath of the Paris terrorist attacks in November, trading has started to pick up over the first two months of the year and forward bookings for the summer are looking positive," it said in a statement.

The impact of the November attacks kept passenger numbers for all of 2015 flat compared to the previous year, at 10.4 million.

Sales fell by five percent as sterling strength meant that revenue in other currencies translated into fewer pounds. Stripping out currency factors, sales were flat.

Operating profit fell to £34 million (US$48.1 million) from £55 million because of the adverse currency movements, but also because of the cost relating to disruptions, it said.

Eurostar also said it will boost the deployment of its new e320 trains with increased seat capacity, allowing it to cut fares.

AFP