Eurostar 'fighting for survival' amid Covid crisis

Its plea for greater financial support comes after chancellor Rishi Sunak earlier this week announced the government would cover up to £8 million in business rates at each of England’s major airports.

Prior to the pandemic, Eurostar operated up to 50 services a day; this is now down to just a single London-Paris train and one Brussels-London service.

In a statement, Eurostar said: "The new scheme of rates relief for airports puts Eurostar at a direct disadvantage against its airline competitors.

"Eurostar has been left fighting for its survival against a 95% drop in demand, while aviation has received over £1.8 billion in support through loans, tax deferrals and financing.

"We would ask this scheme to be extended to include international rail services, and more generally for the government to incorporate high-speed rail in its support for the travel sector, and in doing so, help protect the green gateway to Europe."