Skift Take
Last year saw a third fewer guests cross under the English Channel. That harmed the Channel Tunnel operator’s revenues. France recently alleviated some restrictions for British travelers, so expect those rail cars to fill.
Tom Lowry
The operator of the Channel Tunnel Getlink on Thursday reported a 6% drop in yearly incomes, weighed down by the ongoing impact on guest traffic of travel constraints due to the coronavirus crisis.
The group, which runs the undersea railway tunnel that links France with the U.K., posted earnings for the year ended December of 774.4 million euros ($878.87 million), versus 827.1 million (recalculated) a year earlier.
The variety of passengers crossing the Eurotunnel aboard Getlink’s shuttles was particularly hurt, falling 32% over the year, while truck traffic decreased by 6%.
The 4th quarter, however, revealed indications of healing as incomes increased 13% to 225.1 million euros.
“2021 was a year of contrasts,” President Yann Leriche stated in an incomes declaration. He explained that “the cravings of customers” for Getlink’s services was proven with each easing of border crossing conditions.
Recently, France eased COVID-19 protocols for vaccinated travellers from Britain, dropping a requirement for proof of a vital reason for the journey and for required self-isolation upon arrival.
($1 = 0.8811 euros)
(Reporting by Dagmarah Mackos; Modifying by Cynthia Osterman)
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