Holiday spirit for Eurotunnel

The operator of the Channel Tunnel, which runs its own car, coach and truck passenger services, described the recent uplift in demand as substantial.

As well as continental visitors looking “to be part of the fun” of the royal wedding, the extra bank holiday on Friday April 29 means that people can have 11 days off work by taking just three days of leave.

The update came as Eurotunnel reported a 24 per cent rise in revenues to £157.8m in the first quarter of 2010, despite tougher comparatives a year ago when the period included Easter.

The number of cars on its shuttle services increased 7 per cent to nearly 400,000, giving it more than 50 per cent of the cross-channel market.

There was also an 8 per cent hike in passengers on the separately-owned Eurostar service and a 6 per cent rise in the number of freight trains. The number of coaches coming through the tunnel declined by 6 per cent but it said its share of this market had remained constant.

Eurostar also benefited from the soaring price of oil after tour operators introduced fuel surcharges.