Condor Christmas Schedule Changes Spark Passenger Outrage

Customers of Condor Ferries have voiced their “annoyance” and “angry” sentiments regarding the company’s decision to modify its schedules over the Christmas period. These adjustments mean that Deputy Victoria Oliver will be unable to see her mother on her birthday before Christmas, while Gary Trimbee-Laine has been compelled to take additional time off work, as both individuals informed the BBC. A spokesperson representing Brittany Ferries and Condor stated that their “cross-Channel capacity has been increased over the Christmas and new year period”. Montfort Tadier, who chairs Jersey’s Economic Affairs Scrutiny Panel, has submitted an urgent question for Thursday’s States meeting concerning the timetable alterations. The ferry operators have asserted that the services provided would be “sufficient to meet the seasonal demand” despite the criticism. According to the companies, the Condor Liberation is scheduled to re-enter service on 19 December following maintenance. Furthermore, the Commodore Clipper is slated for charter to Brittany Ferries, Condor’s parent company, with an option for its deployment in the Channel Islands if “resilience” is required. Deputy Oliver explained that, prior to Condor Ferries changing its schedules, she had planned to depart Guernsey on 21 December to travel to the UK to visit her in-laws for Christmas. “Unfortunately, Condor cancelled that boat and gave the choice of 19 or 27 December.” She indicated that this change would prevent her from being in Guernsey for her mother’s birthday on 20 December. She stated: “We were leaving on the 21 December to go to the UK to see my husband’s parents for Christmas, as it was my mum’s birthday on 20 December. “I am really annoyed. Covid stopped my mum having a big party on her last big birthday. It’s a lose-lose for me – I upset one set of parents or the other.” Guernsey resident Gary Trimbee-Laine criticized the decision to alter the schedules at Christmas. “It’s meant I’ve had to take an extra day-and-a-half of annual leave and my manager was not happy, as he’ll have to find cover.” Mr Trimbee-Laine expressed that he was “really angry” about the schedule changes, despite being re-booked on the Condor Islander with a cabin. “Having to change my holiday time has just left a bad taste in my mouth,” he commented. He was initially offered a space on the Condor Liberation, which he identified as an issue because his wife was “petrified” of sailing on the fast-ferry during autumn and winter. Brittany Ferries has confirmed that the “Condor Liberation resumes service on 19 December after her annual maintenance and will operate additional sailings from Poole. “Commodore Goodwill and Condor Islander are also running six and seven days per week respectively to keep the islands connected and supplied,” it also stated. Deputy Oliver also articulated concerns about relying on the Liberation during winter: “I am nervous it may not run around Christmas.” Committee for Economic Development President Deputy Neil Inder had stated his intention to sign a contract for Brittany Ferries to operate ferry services to and from Guernsey on Tuesday, but this did not occur, and the States of Guernsey has not commented on the delay. Oliver conveyed her belief that the Christmas schedules had been released to present Condor and Brittany Ferries as proficient operators during the bidding competition for the island’s services earlier this year. “It feels like Condor has put on a good service to get the contract in Guernsey and, once it is secured, they’ve taken them away.” “The inconvenience is absolutely ridiculous, I’m really concerned about the future. It does put a lot of doubt in my mind about the future just weeks after the company was announced as Guernsey’s prefered bidder.” Last month, the States of Guernsey selected Brittany Ferries as its preferred bidder to manage its sealinks for the upcoming 15 years. Mr Trimbee-Laine indicated he was equally apprehensive about the future of Guernsey’s ferry connections. He remarked: “If this is what we’ve got to look forward to in the future, this is quite appalling.” For further updates, follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Story ideas can be sent to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.