Eurostar and Eurotunnel parent Getlink blamed “uncertainties surrounding Brexit” and protests in France after it recorded only a small rise in revenue in 2019.
Eurotunnel shuttle revenue fell 2% year on year to €630 million. However, Eurostar saw a record year – recording a 1% rise in passenger numbers to more than 11 million.
The group reported a 2% fall in shuttle passenger-vehicle numbers year on year to 2.6 million “due to uncertainties around Brexit” and a 6% fall in truck traffic.
In a statement, Getlink noted: “The truck market was affected throughout the year by a delicate political and social environment.”
This included a French customs strike and strikes against pension reforms in France.
Group chairman and chief executive Jacques Gounon said: “We estimate the uncertainties surrounding Brexit and the social movements in France adversely impacted revenue by €18 million.”
But he added: “We delivered a solid performance, recording a tenth consecutive year of revenue growth.”
Eurostar revenue rose 3% year on year to €315 million, with the rise in traffic mainly due to the launch of a third daily Eurostar service between London and Amsterdam.