Eurostar will introduce a fourth daily direct train service between Amsterdam and London from 9 September, with a fifth to follow in mid-December, the company announced on Tuesday.

The high-speed rail operator also plans to expand its network with a new service from Amsterdam to Geneva via Brussels.

“We’re seeing strong demand for train travel across Europe, with customers wanting to go further by rail than ever before,” said chief executive Gwendoline Cazenave. “Despite the challenging economic climate, Eurostar is growing and has bold ambitions for the future.”

Eurostar carried 19.5 million passengers last year, a 5% increase on 2023. The company aims to reach 30 million passengers annually and plans to invest around €2 billion in up to 50 new trains, all capable of operating across its entire network.