The company said: “Many of these travellers were using Eurostar for the first time and it is estimated that 1,000 business customers a week have now permanently transferred from flying to high-speed rail.”

Richard Brown, Eurostar’s chief executive, added: “I am delighted at the strong growth in the number of business travellers, who are discovering the punctuality and productivity advantages that Eurostar offers compared with the experience of flying. Many more travellers are being attracted by the environmental benefits of using high-speed rail instead of short-haul air.”

Eurostar services transfer from Waterloo to St Pancras International on 14 November this year.

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