Eutelsat Com Regulatory News (ETL)

16 Apr 2007 16:45

Eurotunnel PLC/Eurotunnel S.A.16 April 2007 16 April 2007 16h45 Eurotunnel: Traffic and Revenue figures for the first quarter of 2007 - Revenues from core business (Shuttle services) up by 10% - Overall revenues reach £118.5 million Revenues In the first quarter of 2007 Eurotunnel recorded significant growth in revenuesfrom its core business, the transport of trucks and passenger vehicles on boardits shuttles: these have increased to £75.8 million, an improvement of 10%compared to the same period in the previous year (at a constant exchange rate). Revenues from the railway companies, which no longer include the guaranteedpayments through the Minimum Usage Charge (MUC), were £40.9 million. Theserevenues, without the effect of the MUC, have increased by 6% in the firstquarter of 2007. In the first quarter of 2006, the payments from the MUC were£21 million and their loss brings an automatic drop of 31% in revenues from therailway operators. Non transport revenues remain marginal at £1.8 million. Total revenues for Eurotunnel during the first quarter increased to £118.5million. Excluding the effect of the loss of the MUC, revenues have increased by9% (at a constant exchange rate) compared to the same period the previous year(£118.5 million compared to £109.1 million. All other things being equal, the loss of the MUC would automatically have ledto a 16% reduction in total revenues (proportion of MUC to total revenues for1st quarter 2006). Total revenues have only reduced by 9%: thus the company hasalready compensated for more than half of the loss of the MUC received for thefirst quarter of 2006. 1st quarter 1st quarter % change 1st quarter % change 1st quarter 2006** 2007* 2006 2006 excl. MUCRevenues (restated*) excl. MUC £M (restated*) excl. MUC reported Shuttle services 75.8 68.8 10% 68.8 10% 69.7 69.7 Railways (excl.MUC) 40.9 38.5 6% 38.5 6% 39.0 39.0 MUC - 20.8 21.0Railways 40.9 59.3 -31% 38.5 6% 39.0 60.0Transport activities 116.7 128.1 -9% 107.3 9% 108.7 129.7Non-transport activities 1.8 1.8 -1% 1.8 -1% 1.8 1.8Revenue 118.5 129.9 -9% 109.1 9% 110.5 131.5 *Exchange rate: £1 = €1.471**Exchange rate: £1 = €1.436 Eurotunnel's Shuttle services traffic The quality of service provided by Eurotunnel, the speed, ease and reliabilityof its transport system, which is the most environmentally friendly way to crossthe Channel, has led many customers to make it their choice during the firstquarter of 2007. The number of trucks transported on Eurotunnel Shuttles was 349,359, an increaseof 11% compared to the first quarter in 2006. The number of cars transported has risen by the same proportion (+11%), to409,612. 1st quarter 2007 1st quarter 2006 % changeTruck Shuttles 349,359 315,566 +11%Passenger Shuttles Cars* 409,612 370,437 +11% Coaches 12,920 12,858 - * Including motorcycles, vehicles with trailers, caravans and camper vans. Railways traffic 1,792,649 people travelled on Eurostar* during the first quarter of 2007, almost100,000 more than during the same period in 2006, representing an increase of 6%and confirming the trend from last year even though the final stage of the new "High Speed 1" line to London has yet to be brought into service. Freight trains belonging to the railway operators which used the Tunnel duringthe first quarter of 2007 carried 365,642 tonnes of goods, a decrease of 7%compared to the first quarter in 2006. This traffic remains well below theoriginal forecast levels and the capacity of the Channel Tunnel. 1st quarter 2007 1st quarter 2006 % changeEurostar passengers* 1,792,649 1,698,831 +6%Rail freight tonnage 365,642 392,699 -7%(EWS/SNCF) * The number of Eurostar passengers above is that of passengers travellingthrough the Tunnel and therefore excludes those who use Eurostar for travelbetween Paris-Calais and Brussels-Lille. Jacques Gounon, Eurotunnel's Chairman and Chief Executive said: "These are very good figures and are particularly encouraging for the new GroupeEurotunnel. They underline the unanimous decision by the Board to formallyrecommend shareholders to tender their shares to the Offer before the 15th May". No. 017/2007 For media enquiries contact The Press Office on + 44 (0) 1303 284491.Email: press@eurotunnel.com For investor enquiries contact Michael Schuller on + 44 (0) 1303 288 749.Email: michael.schuller@eurotunnel.com www.eurotunnel.com Eurotunnel manages the infrastructure of the Channel Tunnel and operatesaccompanied truck shuttle and passenger shuttle (car and coach) services betweenFolkestone, UK and Coquelles, France. Eurotunnel also earns toll revenue fromtrain operators (Eurostar for rail passengers, and EWS and SNCF for railfreight) which use the Tunnel. Eurotunnel is quoted in London, Paris andBrussels. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange