P&O axes four routes and 1,200 jobs

by **HW Chris** on Tue Sep 28, 2004 2:19 pm

Shipping giant P&O is to close four of its 13 ferry routes with the loss of about 1,200 jobs, it was announced today.

Reducing the number of ships it operates from 31 to 23, the company said it would be closing all its Western Channel routes except Portsmouth-Bilbao.

The move, which is being bitterly opposed by shipping union the RMT, is expected to save �55 million a year.

'What we are announcing today will enable us to have a simplified, customer-focused product operated on fewer routes with fewer ships and a substantially lower, more flexible cost base,' P&O Chief Executive Robert Woods said in a statement.

P&O's loss-making ferry operations have been hit on tourist routes between England and France by competition from low-cost airlines and an under-sea rail link through the Channel Tunnel.

Copright Thisistravel.co.uk

by **newbie** on Sat Nov 20, 2004 1:19 pm

i heard that too, i actually think the real reason was money problems but i cant be too sure. i want to find out more now, you've got me interested! :idea1: