P&O to cut 1,200 jobs
The ferry operator P&O has announced plans to cut some 1,200 jobs while reducing the size of its ferry fleet and closing four of its 13 routes.
The company has been under pressure from no-frills airlines and the Eurotunnel, while recent increases in French tobacco duty has reportedly reduced numbers of British travellers on so-called “booze cruises”.
The BBC News website reports that the reorganisation comes in the wake of a review of operations, launched after P&O’s ferry division announced full-year losses of £40 million.
Chief executive Robert Woods is quoted as saying: “I am determined to see a major improvement in the profitability of P&O Ferries. 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.
“While we greatly regret the possible job losses, we are convinced that what we are proposing is the best way forward for the long-term prosperity of the business.”
As well as laying off 1,200 staff, the BBC reports, the company will transfer 350 positions to its rival Brittany Ferries, which will also take over two of P&O’s boats.
The routes to be cancelled are: one of the seven daily Dover to Calais crossings; Portsmouth to Cherbourg, Le Havre and Caen; and Rosslare to Cherbourg. P&O reportedly hopes that the planned restructuring will save some £55 million.
Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025