High-speed passenger train operator, Eurostar, has announced a 6 per cent passenger increase on its UK to Europe services. A total of 4.6 million people travelled through the Eurotunnel in the first half of 2010, generating £404 million in revenue for the operator. The increase in passengers underlies a preference away from short-haul airline services, according to the company.

Eurostar claims that more people are becoming drawn to the comfort and ease of travelling by rail from and to the centres of Europe’s major cities. The operator also claims that more international passengers are deciding to make a journey on the Eurostar part of their travel plans when they visit the UK and Europe from countries such as Australia and the US.

In June, the company recorded an increase in international ticket sales of 24 per cent on the same month a year earlier. Eurostar has said that it will be introducing an additional 20 trains throughout August in order to keep up with passenger demand.

Eurostar’s chief executive, Nicolas Petrovic, said: “Over the last six months, we have delivered strong growth in both business and leisure bookings.  As the economic environment has strengthened we have seen an uplift in the business market and an overall increase in the number of passengers travelling.

“Whilst our core routes continue to be busy more and more people are opting to travel further afield and explore new destinations by train.  Forward bookings are looking strong and with the increasing appetite for high speed rail travel in Europe, the trend looks set to continue.”