Eurostar has announced a hugely successful first six months for 2008.

Eurostar, the high speed train operator between the UK and Europe, has announced its 2008 six-monthly results, revealing a “surging demand” for tickets – sales of which have increased nearly 25% – and an increase in traveller numbers of almost one fifth.

The train company attributed its success to rising airfare prices due to the escalating oil prices, which have encouraged travellers to consider other transport options.

“The impact of rising oil prices on airfares, combined with growing awareness of the much greater environmental impact of flying, are causing more and more travellers to switch from plane to train,” explained Richard Brown, Eurostar’s Chief Executive.

The six-monthly figures were published at the same time as it was reported by travel news site TravelMole that Qantas, a leading long-distance airline based in Australia, is reportedly planning to cut around 2,000 jobs because of rising fuel prices. Other airlines have already reduced their operations, including Continental Airlines and United Airlines, which have cut staff numbers by 3,000 and up to 1,600 respectively.

However, despite half-yearly ticket sales totalling £368.8 million and passenger numbers of 4.63m, Eurostar revealed a more cautious side when it predicted its second half-year results: “Whilst we expect traveller numbers and ticket revenues to continue to rise, it is clear that the wider economic environment is deteriorating and we expect that the rate of growth will slow in the second half of the year,” concluded Brown.