Eurotunnel has vowed to fight on to overturn a decision by competition regulators that MyFerryLink must cease operation on the Dover to Calais route.
The ferry arm of the Channel Tunnel operator will appeal the decision by the Competition and Market Authority and that it was “not surprised” at today’s outcome.
MyFerryLink said: “We continue fundamentally to disagree with the CMA on a number of critical points.
“First and foremost we do not consider that the CMA has jurisdiction to review the transaction as a matter of UK merger law.
“It is also manifestly the case that the CMA’s decision, which will reduce choice, is bad for consumers, bad for competition and bad for all those involved in cross-Channel operations – staff, employees, customers and the wider regions in both Dover and Calais.
“We will therefore be appealing to the Competition Appeal Tribunal to seek its review of the CMA’s revised conclusions in this regard.”
“Given that any appeal is unlikely to be finally determined until much later this year at the earliest, we would like to reassure our loyal customers that we will continue to operate our full schedule throughout the summer season and beyond.”
Eurotunnel chairman and chief executive Jacques Gounon said: “The decision by the CMA is a denial of the reality of the situation. It penalises the consumer and puts 600 people out of work without any real justification.”