The players in the tourism industry will each be turning the page on the pandemic at the turn of 2023. Hotel groups have seen their revenue per room exceed 2019 levels. Air France-KLM presented its fourth-quarter results sales of €7.1 billion, " a record level in the group's history despite a difficult environment" . The SNCF is no exception to the rule. For the first time ever, the rail group has seen its sales fall. exceed 40 billion euros41.4 billion.
This milestone has been reached thanks to the diversification of its activities, particularly internationally, and the growth of its subsidiaries Geodis on the logistics side (+68% vs 2019) and Keolis on the public transport side. However, this strong growth in sales, up by almost 20% both on the previous year and compared with pre-crisis levels (+19% vs 2021 and +18% vs 2019), can also be explained by SNCF's core business, passenger transport.
After the Omicron wave in the first quarter, rail travel is back on track. SNCF Voyageurs' turnover is up overall by 27% vs 2021 and +3% vs 2019. Still down 3% compared with the pre-pandemic period, the TGV/intercity business has jumped by 58% in 2022 compared with the previous year. At the same time, regional and Ile-de-France trains recorded a significant increase in traffic (+33% for TER and +23% for Transilien), leading to higher sales on both sides than in previous years. " Passenger numbers have risen, reflecting the growing popularity of trains, both high-speed and regional, after two years disrupted by the Covid crisis." said a delighted Jean-Pierre Farandou, CEO of the SNCF Group.
While SNCF Voyageurs carries out 10% of its business internationally, the limitation of travel restrictions and the resumption of cross-border travel have been favourable for SNCF Voyageurs. gradual return to pre-crisis levels both in terms of number of trains and revenue. Another factor demonstrating the return of passengers to trains is that SNCF Gares & Connexions' revenues are up by 3.8% vs 2021 and 6% vs 2019.
This dynamism in rail transport has also led to new developments, with the opening of new Ouigo high-speed destinations and the launch of low-cost classic train services from Paris to Nantes and Lyon. At the same time, Ouigo is extending its offer in Spain with the opening of the Madrid-Valencia routeThis will succeed the Madrid-Barcelona service launched in 2021. Also in Spain, SNCF has launched its own Paris-Barcelona route, previously shared with Renfe.
With a net profit of €2.4 billion and a return to equilibrium that is expected to last, SNCF will be using its profits to prepare for the future. " 100 % of this money will be used to build the Group's future by financing its development, investing in the national rail network and reducing the debt burden" said Jean-Pierre Farandou. By 2022, the group has invested several billion in regenerating the rail network, modernising and maintaining stations, and investing in rolling stock.
At the same time, SNCF is continuing to decarbonise its business. Its greenhouse gas emissions of 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 in 2022, have remained stable despite the growth in activity. By the end of 2022, SNCF declares that it will have achieved a quarter of its trajectory for reducing its greenhouse gas emissionsemissions, set at -30 % for transport activities and -50 % for buildings by 2030 compared with 2015. In addition to signing a record 25-year contract for the supply of renewable electricity this year, the SNCF will be deploying photovoltaic panels on the car parks of certain stations from 2024 to provide 15% of their consumption. By 2030, all 3,000 French stations will be powered by solar energy.
