In its financial figures released on March 16, Eurostar revealed that sales revenues were up by 12% for the first 10 weeks of the year, following a difficult 2016 in which passenger numbers declined by 4%. Sales revenues decreased from £821m in 2015 to £794m (3%) in 2016, which included a fall of 8% at constant exchange rates.

Eurostar says “tough trading conditions and lower demand” were the reasons behind its weak performance in 2016 which ultimately resulted in an operating loss of £25m.

Since the start of the year, the number of business travellers has increased by 4% compared with the same period of 2016, and the number of United States travellers has increased by 17%.

Eurostar says it will carry out investment in its fleet, stations and services in order to meet increasing demand.