EUROSTAR is further challenging the short-haul air routes from London to both Paris and Brussels with the opening last week of the first UK high speed section of its European network.
The 46-mile £1.9bn section through Kent shaves 20 minutes off the current timetable.
When the second section of the 68-mile route between the Channel Tunnel and London is completed in 2007 the journey time to Paris will be 2 hours 15 minutes.
Brussels will be accessible by rail in only two hours.
The rebuilt St Pancras Station terminal will particularly benefit Luton Airport.
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