Better season for Condor as numbers and reliability grow

Better season for Condor as numbers and reliability grow

The business has also said that during the season – which lasts from 1 May to 31 August – it carried 3,100 more passengers than last summer.

The company has linked the improvement to their ‘asset health programme’, which aims to identify mechanical issues on their vessels before they become a problem.

In total, the company carried 311,000 passengers – up one per cent compared to summer last year.

In a statement, Paul Luxon, chief executive of Condor, said: ‘We are encouraged by our passenger carryings this year and very pleased with the joint marketing we have undertaken with Visit Jersey.

‘Partnership working is very important and we are already progressing a number of initiatives with Keith Beecham [chief executive of Visit Jersey] and his team to bring more visitors to Jersey in 2019.’

Condor’s successful season marks a stark contrast to the one the company endured in 2015 when it sold its Vitesse and Express vessels and replaced them with the £50 million Liberation.

The Australian-built trimaran was billed as being bigger, more comfortable and smoother than its catamaran predecessors.

However, shortly after entering service, the ship was beset with months of technical problems and in March 2016, the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency even impounded the Liberation after inspectors discovered ‘substantial deficiencies’.

Soon after, Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham said that Condor’s decision to replace two fast ferries with one was a ‘definite mistake’ and added that if problems were not resolved he could be forced to look for another operator.

However, Senator Farnham today acknowledged that Condor have improved their service.

‘I welcome the latest figures which demonstrate improved performance and reliability from Condor in 2018,’ he said.

‘My department continues to work very closely with Condor’s senior management team to monitor service levels and help develop the business. While there is no room for complacency, I can acknowledge that progress has been made and would like to thank the Condor staff and crew for their continued commitment moving forward.’

Mr Beecham described the news as ‘encouraging’.

‘Year to July, the latest exit-survey data suggests we have seen seven per cent growth from Guernsey [26,000 more visitors] and 11 per cent increase from France [80,000 more visitors] and five per cent growth in ferry visitors [122,000 more visitors],’ he said. ‘About one third of our visitors travel by sea and it is important that they have reliable and regular sea crossings throughout the year.

‘We are encouraged that Condor is reporting improving numbers.

‘We are currently meeting with Condor officials to plan 2019 joint marketing and we look forward to building on these numbers next year.’

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