Eurostar has reported the highest ever number of passengers transported by the service in one quarter, with over 2.8 million customers travelling between the UK and the continent in quarter two of 2015. 

This represents a year-on-year increase of three per cent in passengers compared with the same period last year.

Business travel also went from strength to strength with the uplift in the number of Business Premier passengers reported in the first three months of the year continuing through the second quarter. 

Business Premier passenger numbers in quarter two rose by ten per cent compared with the second quarter of last year with an increase reported on both sides of the channel.

Sales revenues for the second quarter rose by 1.5 per cent compared with the previous year, up to £232 million.

The second quarter of the year was marked by the introduction of Eurostar’s new all year round direct service to the South of France launched on May 1st.

The route, which runs between London and Lyon, Avignon and Marseille, has captured the imagination of travellers with over 88,000 tickets sold to date. 

The strong sales of tickets are testament to the enduring appeal of the Mediterranean and Provence which offer travellers the quintessential French holiday experience.