The operator on Tuesday (10 June) said it would seek to serve Frankfurt and Geneva from London starting in the early 2030s, taking advantage of Eurostar’s aim to grow its fleet with up to 50 new trains. A third new route running between Amsterdam/Brussels to Geneva is also planned.
Meanwhile, following the reinstatement in February of services from London to Rotterdam and Amsterdam after an eight-month pause, Eurostar will add two more frequencies on this route this year – the first departing from 9 September and the second from mid-December.
“We’re seeing strong demand for train travel across Europe, with customers wanting to go further by rail than ever before and enjoy the unique experience we provide,” said Eurostar chief executive Gwendoline Cazenave.
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander welcomed the announcement, claiming Eurostar’s investment showed the government’s plans to deliver rail routes to central Europe were “rapidly strengthening the links between major cities in countries across Europe, creating more opportunities to travel, work and socialise”.
To support this growth, Eurostar is investing €2 billion in up to 50 new trains, which will operate alongside its current fleet of 17 e320 trains – the ones currently used on its cross-Channel routes – and bring its total fleet up to 67 trains.
“Despite the challenging economic climate, Eurostar is growing and has bold ambitions for the future,” Cazenave added.
Eurostar also detailed its 2024 financials on Tuesday, including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (ebtida) of €346 million. Passenger numbers grew to by 5% to 19.5 million, up from the 18.6 million recorded in 2023.
Passenger numbers between London and Paris grew by 280,000 year-on-year last year, due in part to the Paris Olympics, while carryings between London and Brussels increased by 250,000 passengers.
“2024 was an exceptional year, crowned by the successes of the Olympic Games,” said Eurostar Group president Alain Krakovitch. “Eurostar is in good shape to serve 30 million passengers and the ambition to develop our European services remains strong.”
Eurostar’s more than 30-year monopoly on cross-Channel rail services could, though, soon come under threat, with several bidders – including Virgin Group, Dutch operator Heuro, UK-based Gemini Trains and a new coalition comprising Italy’s state rail holding company FS Italiane Group and Spanish start-up Evolyn – all vying to operate services between the UK and Europe.
The Office for Road and Rail recently signalled there was capacity to open up Eurostar’s depot and maintenance facility to other operators.
