Europe high-speed train sees passenger jump

Eurostar service reports increase after terror alert snarls air travel

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Security rules alter travel
Aug. 14: CNBC’s Phil LeBeau reports on how tighter airport screening is lengthening the time spent on short-haul flights.

CNBC

updated 11:29 a.m. ET Aug. 16, 2006

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Eurostar, the high-speed train service linking Britain to Europe, said Monday that it carried 27 percent more passengers than usual in the first four days since a terror alert caused mass cancellations and long delays to air travel.

The company said it had an extra 28,000 travelers from Aug. 10-13 after British authorities announced that they had foiled an alleged plot to destroy U.S.-bound commercial flights and significantly stepped up air security checks.

Eurostar said the surge in demand for routes between London, Paris and Brussels had enabled thousands of travelers to avoid long hold-ups at airports. Many people traveled on to the Netherlands, Germany and the south of France, it said.

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The company said its high levels of security screening for travelers and luggage remained in place.

The terror alert raised fears about the ability of airports to stop terrorists bringing explosives through security checks.

British Airways PLC, the dominant carrier at London's Heathrow, said it canceled one-fifth of its flights at the airport Monday, and passengers faced continued frustration.

Airport operator BAA PLC said it would ease stringent security measures that had included a ban on hand luggage and searches of every passenger. Starting Tuesday, passengers would be allowed one small cabin bag, rather than the clear plastic bag to which they have been restricted since Thursday.