Financial highlights
Eurostar Group continues to respond to the demands of a highly competitive market place with steadily improving rates of sales and revenue growth over the comparable period last year follows:
In the first half of 2000:
- A 10% increase in sales volumes was achieved
- A 9% increase in sales revenue in sterling (19.4% in euros)
During the third quarter:
- This upward trend has continued with an increase in sales volumes of 12% to 2,107,000 (1999: 1,889,000).
- Sales revenue continues on an accelerating trend, increasing in the third quarter by 13% to 111.7m pounds (1999: 99.3m pounds). Expressed in euros, third quarter revenue increased by 20% to 182.2m pounds (1999: 151.7m pounds).
For the nine months:
- For the nine months of the year 2000, Eurostar`s sales volumes have risen by 11% from 5,352,000 to 5,914,000.
- Sales revenue has increased by 10% from 297.3m pounds to 327.4m pounds. Expressed in Euros, the increase was 20% from 447.1m pounds to 534.9m pounds.
Overseas markets continue to perform well, with sales revenue outside the UK, France and Belgium up 17% (US$) on the first nine months of the previous year. Of these, the USA and Far East are important growth areas for Eurostar`s business.
Performance update
Eurostar passenger volumes continued to outperform the air/rail market on its core routes, London/Paris/London and London/Brussels/London, with significant market share gains as follows:
- The total air/rail market on the Brussels route increased by just 1% in the first eight months of 2000. Eurostar volume, however, increased 10,5%, producing a market share gain of 4% and a total market share of 46%. A peak of 51.7% was reached in August.
- The total air/rail market on the London-Paris-London route increased by 8% in the first eight months of 2000. Eurostar volumes increased by 10.3%. This translated into a market share of 63.4%, reaching a peak of 68.5% in August.
In terms of punctuality, Eurostar retains a healthy lead over airline competition. In the first six months of 2000, latest period in which like-for-like figures are available (Source CAA), 81.5%Eservicrrived on time or within 15 minutesschedule, ared to 65% on parallel air routes. Customer satisfaction continuesgive high scoresEtar,h 98%passengers saying they would recommend Eto friends, family or colleagues (independent research).
Optional update
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Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
