Brittany Ferries suffers post-Brexit Channel carryings slump

Brittany Ferries experienced a drop in traffic on the English Channel in the year to October as a result of post-Brexit bureaucracy.

There are long routes connecting the UK with Spain and France.

There was a decline in passenger numbers on Channel routes compared to pre-pandemic levels.

The Channel is a concern for Brittany Ferries and their partners.

The volumes were down by a third. French borders re- opening in mid-January missing much of the busiest period for holiday bookings post- Christmas is one of the reasons for this disappointing performance.

The British government's decision to impose passports for French passengers visiting the UK has had a huge impact on our business.

To aid the recovery of this market for us and other companies in the tourism sector, we need a concerted push from tourist bodies in France and the UK.

There was a 9% increase in the number of long routes between the UK and Spain.

Brittany Ferries recorded a positive financial performance for the year, but figures are not due to be released before the annual meeting next March.

Thanks in part to an increase in services linking Brittany and Normandie withCork and Rosslare, Ireland-France connections have surged forward.

Positive forward bookings and no barriers to passengers crossing borders as there were in France at the beginning of the year gave the company optimism for the future.

The company said that the negative effect of the UK leaving the EU has created opportunities elsewhere on the network.

There are new services that connect France with Ireland.