High-speed operator Eurostar has cancelled four trains and imposed extended journey times of up to 50 minutes between Brussels-Midi and London St Pancras through 26 June after Belgian infrastructure manager Infrabel ordered speed reductions on heat-exposed sections of track. Trains will run at a maximum of 160 km/h between Brussels and the French border during daylight hours, compared with the usual 300 km/h. Passengers booked on the cancelled 15:31 and 20:08 services on 25 June or the 11:31 and 16:08 on 26 June can change tickets free of charge or request a voucher valid for 12 months. Business Premier lounges in both Brussels and London have extended opening hours to accommodate re-routed travellers. For corporate mobility programmes the disruption is a reminder that extreme weather now regularly affects *high-value, short-haul* rail travel once seen as immune to climate factors. Eurostar says heat-related slow orders have cost it an estimated 2 % in annual capacity days since 2022—a figure likely to rise unless infrastructure upgrades keep pace. Travel managers should monitor Eurostar’s real-time alert feed and advise VIP travellers to consider morning departures, which are less exposed to peak temperatures. Where same-day return meetings are unavoidable, overnight stays in London or Brussels may be more reliable than the last train home.
Source: Euronews Travel
