Eurostar has seen corporate bookings increase in recent months as the rail operator gets set to introduce new routes and trains.
The company said that it had seen a 6 per cent rise in the number of passengers travelling in its Business Premier carriages during the third quarter of this year, compared to the same period in 2013.
Overall Eurostar recorded a 3% year-on-year rise in passengers to 2.8 million and a 2% increase in sales revenue to £211 million for the three months between July and September.
Eurostar, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary next month, is planning to begin year-round services to Provence in May 2015 followed by the launch of a direct train from London to Amsterdam in 2016.
Chief executive Nicolas Petrovic said: “With passenger numbers and sales revenues increasing year-on-year, we are well placed for the next phase of growth.
“Our new direct services to Provence and Amsterdam will revolutionise travel to these destinations and mark the start of a new chapter for our business.”
The operator is also due to put its new e320 trains into service towards the end of 2015. The new carriage will be unveiled during a ceremony at St Pancras International station on November 13.
“By making a substantial investment in our fleet, we are sending a strong signal about the ambition for the business and our commitment to delivering an exceptional experience for our passengers,” added Petrovic.
Eurostar is investing £700 million in the new fleet with another £100 million to be spent on refurbishing the current trains. The operator is also refurbishing ticket offices and upgrading business lounges at St Pancras and revamping Lille and Paris Gare du Nord.
Tickets will go on sale in early December for Eurostar’s new Provence service which stops at Lyon, Avignon and Marseille. This will be followed in 2016 by direct services to Amsterdam via Antwerp, Rotterdam and Schiphol.
eurostar.com