Eurostar Expands Routes with New Train Fleet
Michael Fulton
Eurostar Unveils Expansion Plans and New Train Fleet
Eurostar has released its 2024 financial results, showing growth for the third consecutive year. The company has also announced plans to introduce new direct routes using an upcoming fleet of trains. This expansion aims to meet the increasing demand for international rail travel across Europe.
The new fleet, consisting of up to 50 trains, is scheduled to enter service in the early 2030s. Eurostar plans to operate three new direct routes with these trains, including services to Geneva. In the nearer term, the company will increase its London-Rotterdam-Amsterdam service, adding a fourth daily train in September 2025 and a fifth in December.
Despite economic challenges, Eurostar achieved an EBITDA of €346 million in 2024, attributed to passenger growth and cost management. Passenger numbers rose to over 19.5 million, a 5% increase from the previous year. The company aims to reach 30 million passengers annually.
To support this growth, Eurostar will invest approximately €2 billion in the new train fleet. These trains will operate alongside the current 17 e320s, bringing the total fleet to 67 trains—a 30% increase from the present capacity.
Eurostar currently serves 28 destinations across Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The company's ownership is shared between SNCF Voyages Développement (55.75%), CDPQ (19.31%), SNCB (18.50%), and Federated Hermes Infrastructure funds (6.44%).
The expansion plans and new train fleet demonstrate Eurostar's commitment to enhancing international rail connections and promoting sustainable travel options across Europe.