Eurotunnel : Traffic and revenue for 1st quarter 2006
Like for like comparison between 2005 and 2006 is difficult due to the timing of Easter being later in 2006 and the disruption at the port of Calais in 2005 which was not repeated in 2006. For a better comparison we have included the figures from the first quarter of 2004.
Revenues stable
The total revenue, including transport and non transport activities for Eurotunnel, is £131.5 million, the same level as in the first quarter of 2005 at a constant exchange rate.
The revenue coming from Shuttle activities is slightly lower (-1%), which can be explained largely by the unusual circumstances of the first quarter of 2005.
Revenues from the railways, which include payments due under the Minimum Usage Charge, are slightly higher (+2%) at £60 million.
The revenue from non transport activities remains marginal.
Eurotunnel Shuttle Services
Traffic volumes for both passenger and truck services are down in the first quarter of 2006 for the reasons stated above. However, the new commercial policies adopted in 2005 have enabled us to compensate for the drop in volume thanks to higher yields than those achieved during the first quarter of 2005.
Railways activity
Eurostar traffic remained stable during the quarter at the same level as last year.
The tonnage carried through the Tunnel by railfreight trains declined by 6%.
Revenues from the Railways remain protected by the Minimum Usage Charge, which continues until the end of November 2006. The payments under this scheme amounted to £21 million for the first quarter.
