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Eurostar 'fighting for survival' amid Covid crisis

Government
James Chapple
26 November 2020

Eurostar says it is "fighting for survival" with demand down 95%, and claims state relief for airports put it at a "direct disadvantage" to airline competitors.

Services to London were said to be delayed by up to 30 minutes

The EU and UK government want more competition on cross-Channel services

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.