Revenues for Eurotunnel dipped by 17% to €252.1million (£227.7m) in the third quarter of the financial year, according to its latest figures, as travel continued to be hit hard by the Covid crisis.

The cross-Channel operator says it has implemented an action plan to help face the crisis with a focus on "cost reduction" and "strict cash management" which has seen the use of the furlough and its French equivalent, activité partielle for its teams.

Parent firm Getlink said revenues were down on the same period last year - with money from railway services using the tunnel plunging by 57% to €36.1m (£32.6m).

Eurostar services have run at greatly reduced levels since quarantine regulations crushed the tourism market. It announced recently that services stopping at Ashford and Ebbsfleet would not resume until 2022 .

However, strong performance on its freight services between Cheriton and Coquelles saw shuttle revenues down just 2%, to €181.2m (£163.7m) in the quarter.

Getlink owns and operates the Channel Tunnel , as well as Le Shuttle services, and has deals in place with train operators such as Eurostar to use the route.

Despite the reduction in revenues and the apparent rise in infections, its top brass remain confident it can perform well over the future months.

Yann Leriche , group chief executive officer, said: "In the third quarter, the group has served its customers by providing excellent sanitary conditions. We have used our flexible offering by providing services to meet very high demand on certain days, while adapting very quickly when travel restrictions are announced.

"Our financial leeway is preserved by rigorous cost management and the remarkable commitment of our teams. The group is well prepared to make the most of the future post Brexit on January 1, 2021 as well as the changes unfolding in the world.”

Yann Leriche took over as CEO after the role of chairman and CEO was split, with Jacques Gounon remaining as chairman of the board.

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