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12-11-2007, 10:47 PM
The boss of Eurostar has told Sky News the company is still some way off making a profit, but insisted the company's future is bright.
http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1608070.jpg Eurostar's St Pancras platform
On Wednesday the high speed link from St Pancras station in London to Paris officially opens to the public.
Speaking on Jeff Randall live, Chief Executive Richard Brown said strikes threatened by French workers could take the shine off the big day.
But he said that in general the speed and reliability meant Eurostar was no longer just the alternative to air travel, it was becoming the first choice for many, particularly business travellers.
"Airlines are running out of things they can do - they're looking at alternative routes," he said.
"Air France is already reducing the number of Paris to London flights," he added.
Mr Brown said that planned ventures with high speed rail companies on the continent would see a fast rail network across Europe that would put more pressure on the low cost airlines.
He admitted that the British arm of Eurostar was still some years off turning a profit, but said there was light at the end of the tunnel.
He said links between rail companies in the UK meant it was as quick to take the train from the midlands to Paris as it was to fly.
http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1608070.jpg Eurostar's St Pancras platform
On Wednesday the high speed link from St Pancras station in London to Paris officially opens to the public.
Speaking on Jeff Randall live, Chief Executive Richard Brown said strikes threatened by French workers could take the shine off the big day.
But he said that in general the speed and reliability meant Eurostar was no longer just the alternative to air travel, it was becoming the first choice for many, particularly business travellers.
"Airlines are running out of things they can do - they're looking at alternative routes," he said.
"Air France is already reducing the number of Paris to London flights," he added.
Mr Brown said that planned ventures with high speed rail companies on the continent would see a fast rail network across Europe that would put more pressure on the low cost airlines.
He admitted that the British arm of Eurostar was still some years off turning a profit, but said there was light at the end of the tunnel.
He said links between rail companies in the UK meant it was as quick to take the train from the midlands to Paris as it was to fly.