Eurostar has reported a record year for ticket sales and passenger numbers.

Eurostar has experienced a successful 2007 with ticket sales of £599 million and a record 8.26m passengers taking advantage of its services – citing faster journeys and environmental concerns for the increase.

One major boost to its successful year was the introduction of its 186 mph train service from St Pancras International station, which witnessed an 11% passenger increase and a ticket sales growth of 20%.

The train company also contrasted itself favourably with airlines, and stated that while airline punctuality stands at only 68.8%, Eurostar trains arrive and depart punctually 91.5% of the time. A journey on the Eurostar train between London and Paris/Brussels is also more environmentally friendly than a flight, with one return train journey producing carbon dioxide (CO2) to fill a Mini car, while an equivalent return flight produces enough CO2 to fill a double-decker bus.

Richard Brown, Chief Executive of Eurostar, said: “The launch of Eurostar services on High Speed 1 has begun a new era in short-haul travel between the UK and mainland Europe. The impact has been immediate: Eurostar’s faster services, shorter travel times and carbon neutral journeys are winning over more travellers from the short-haul airlines.

“We expect to see this growth continue throughout 2008 as the impact of the new through fares from across the UK drives growth in the number of travellers using Eurostar from towns and cities north and south of London.”

Eurostar began operation in 1994 and provides high speed train services to link the UK and mainland Europe. It has recently been named ‘World’s Leading Rail Service’ at the 2007 World Travel Awards.