advertisement

---

European high-speed train service provider Eurostar posted record first-quarter ridership, carrying 1.6 million passengers — a 19 percent increase compared with the same 2003 period.

Eurostar’s market share also increased in February. The London-to-Paris and London-to-Brussels routes’ market share rose to 66 percent and 52 percent, respectively, compared with 58 percent and 38 percent in 2003. Meanwhile, European airlines British Air, Ryanair, Air France and EasyJet lost market share.

Eurostar officials attribute the ridership increase to improved on-time performance and new U.S. distribution systems used by travel agents, which has increased North American bookings.