condor ferries travel updates

Problems caused by Islander introduction ‘trigger’ for change at Condor

Condor Ferries’ new interim chief executive has admitted that the purchase of its newest vessel, the Islander, has not been a success so far.

Christophe Mathieu revealed that problems caused by the introduction of the conventional passenger and freight ro-ro vessel were the final straw which prompted Condor’s minority shareholder, Brittany Ferries, to take a more active role running the company.

The Islander was purchased last year in a joint venture with the States, which put in £3m. and provided a £26m. loan, and started operating in October.

‘The intention was good behind bringing in another ship and there was a good plan, on Excel, but through nobody’s fault it didn’t materialise,’ said Mr Mathieu.

‘The fact of the matter is the traffic since the Islander has been introduced has not been anywhere near what was expected.

‘That is what triggered a moment where we [Brittany Ferries] had to adjust.’

Condor promises islanders a better deal in ‘new era’

Just before Christmas, Condor’s then chief executive, John Napton, said the company faced a ‘temporary but challenging time’, but refused to release further details.

Mr Mathieu said yesterday that Condor was ‘absolutely’ keeping up with loan repayments for the Islander and that they ‘had never been an issue’.

Until recently, Condor owed the States a substantial sum in unpaid ports fees. Mr Mathieu did not refute suggestions that the sum was in seven figures.

‘That has all been settled. There is no denying that there was a moment before Christmas when we had to push back a little. Now it is sorted and back in order,’ he said.

He also confirmed that Condor’s shareholders had recently injected additional cash into the company to improve its financial position.

‘I think that demonstrates the commitment of the shareholders,’ said Mr Mathieu, who is also the Brittany Ferries’ chief executive.

‘And the fact I have taken responsibility to be the chief executive of Condor for a while shows how we want to integrate with Brittany Ferries.

‘We want to make sure we tell people we are there. As Brittany Ferries is here for ever, it’s about time that we show it and start acting as the guys who will be here for ever.’

He acknowledged that his appointment at Condor was also an indication that ‘on one hand, the situation was not that great’ previously and that the company needed to do more to reassure the island of its commitment to its lifeline ferry services.

Asked whether Brittany Ferries could become the majority or sole owner of Condor in the future, Mr Mathieu said ‘maybe, but not definitely’. What mattered more was the French company recognising that now was ‘really the time to change and have a different approach to the relationship with the islands’.

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Technical fault stops Condor Islander sailings just days after entering service

• Condor Ferries
• Channel Islands
• Thursday 26 October 2023 at 10:00am

Condor Ferries ' new cross-channel ship, the Islander , is out of service due to technical problems just three days after its first passenger sailing.

The ferry arrived in Guernsey from the UK on Sunday 22 October on its maiden passenger sailing.

It wasn't able to continue on to Jersey and returned to Portsmouth instead.

It's understood an issue with the ship's bow thrusters led to sailings between Thursday 26 October and Thursday 2 November being cancelled.

The 125m long conventional ferry was bought with the help of a £26 million loan from the States of Guernsey .

When approached by ITV News, a spokesperson for Condor Ferries declined to comment on the disruption.

Want to find out more about the stories making the headlines? Don't miss Channelcast - the Channel Islands current affairs podcast brought to you by ITV News:

Travel Advice

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Please find a summary of important news below:

• You can find all current entry regulations here. Please note that Condor is subject to the regulations of the respective destination.
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• Currently, our Service Center receives a very high number of customer contacts. Unfortunately, this results in longer waiting times, for which we apologize. You may find most of the frequently requested information conveniently on our website.

New Condor Terminal at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport

Condor is now located in Terminal 7 (T7) at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport. All scheduled Condor flights arrive at T7, from where there are also convenient connecting flights with partner airlines Alaska Airlines and JetBlue.

Condor flights will therefore also depart from T7. Guests are requested to go to the Condor check-in counters for their check-in at T7, Zone E to receive their tickets and check in their luggage.

Status: January 5, 2023

Avoidance of Russian and Ukrainian airspace

Condor does not fly over Russian or Ukrainian airspace on any of its routes.

Condor Ferries CEO blames difficulties on new ship

Condor Ferries CEO has admitted the lack of use of its newest ship led to financial difficulties last year.

Christophe Mathieu, who is also CEO of Brittany Ferries, said buying the Islander was a "worthwhile exercise but hasn't delivered".

Brittany Ferries has loaned Condor Ferries £10m to "top up the company" and cover unpaid port fees, according to Mr Mathieu.

He said the company was committed to the islands and "isn't going anywhere".

The company is set to revert its schedules to how they were before the Covid pandemic to "reduce inconsistency", Mr Mathieu said.

It will mean one fast ferry is based in Poole to service the UK-Channel Islands routes and the other will be based in St Malo, going to the Channel Islands.

The Condor Islander, which was purchased in partnership with Guernsey's States, will be used mainly on weekends as a "top-up".

The States of Guernsey and Condor invested £3m in the boat and the States also lent the ferry company £26m, which is due to be paid back over a decade.

Resilience plan

When asked whether Brittany Ferries branding could start being used on Condor Ferries vessels, Mr Mathieu said "maybe".

"We've not taken a decision on that, it's still early days. We want to convince the islands that we are the solution and the brand will come as a secondary question - the answer for now is we will be putting forward these new schedules for a successful season."

He announced the company was looking to provide more integration for customers when it came to fares, allowing people to travel on the same ticket from the Channel Islands to the UK and onwards to places like Ireland with Brittany Ferries.

"We want to offer those combined tickets which will provide a better deal than doing them on their own," Mr Mathieu said.

Earlier this week Brittany Ferries trialled the Barfleur in St Helier's harbour . 

Tender process

Mr Mathieu said this was part of a resilience plan and he was not planning to use the boat regularly in the Channel Islands.

He did admit that in early 2025 the ship may be used to cover some sailings, if it was needed.

"It's a possibility that we schedule the Barfleur to cover dry dock when a ship is in for maintenance."

At the moment the States of Guernsey has a memorandum of understanding with Condor Ferries to run the island's ferry services, while the States of Jersey has a contract with the company until 2025.

Guernsey's Economic Development Committee President Neil Inder told deputies last week a tender process to find the next ferry operator for the islands would be launched in April.

Mr Mathieu said: "We are going to focus on this tender to convince everybody that we are the solution for the islands."

Follow BBC Guernsey on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook and you can follow BBC Jersey on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook . Send your story ideas to [email protected] .

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If you are travelling on business or in a commercial vehicle please click here for Condor Ferries Freight .

Please note that any person or vehicle travelling for business or commercial venture, carrying commercial goods/samples will need to book via our freight teams and do not qualify for leisure fares. In addition, if the vehicle being taken is designed for the carriage of commercial goods it shall be reserved as freight regardless of its dimensions. For more information please call the Commercial team on 01481 728620 .

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Condor voyager service amendment weather friday 29th march 2024..

The very latest forecasts indicate adverse weather conditions with high seas and high wind speeds predicted in our operating area for Good Friday Morning.

As a result our high speed services operated by Condor Voyager have been amended.

Please ensure you clear check in at least 90 mins (60 mins for foot passengers) before your new departure time.

If you would like to speak to us, please contact 0345 609 1026, live chat on our website or email us at https://www.condorferries.co.uk/help-info/contact-us .

Please note that our phone lines may be busy during this time. You can leave a message for us to ring you back and our system will automatically place you in the queue to be called.

We are very sorry for the late notice and inconvenience this may cause to your seasonal travel plans.

Affected Ships

Condor liberation service amendment weather 29th march 2024.

As a result our high speed services operated by Condor Liberation between Poole and the Channel Islands have been further amended.

Please ensure you clear check in at least 1 hour (40 mins for foot passengers) before your new departure time. Please see  www.condorferries.co.uk  for more information***

We are very sorry for the late notice and inconvenience this weather disruption may cause to your travel plans.

CONDOR VOYAGER SERVICE AMEND/CANCELLATION WEATHER 27th - 28th March

Condor islander/commodore clipper service cancellation weather 27th - 28th march.

The very latest forecasts indicate adverse weather conditions with high seas and high wind speeds predicted in our operating area on Thursday 28 th March.

As a result, our conventional services operated by Condor Islander and Commodore Clipper between Portsmouth and the Channel Islands have been cancelled.

Affected bookings may transfer to other available services where capacity permits..

We are very sorry for the inconvenience this may cause to your travel plans.

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Your return date must be after your departure date.

Maximum of 9 passengers allowed on the outward.

Please select at least one adult to travel.

Please call 0345 609 1024 to book.

If you are travelling on business or in a commercial vehicle please click here for Condor Ferries Freight .

Please note that any person or vehicle travelling for business or commercial venture, carrying commercial goods/samples will need to book via our freight teams and do not qualify for leisure fares. In addition, if the vehicle being taken is designed for the carriage of commercial goods it shall be reserved as freight regardless of its dimensions. For more information please call the Commercial team on 01481 728620 .

Please wait while we find the best fares for you...

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