Condor is to utilise Commodore Clipper between Poole and the Channel Islands this week and deploy its chartered freight vessel over the same period to support the Portsmouth operation.
The changes will take place whilst Condor Liberation undergoes essential maintenance following recent technical issues.
Clipper will relocate to Poole and provide cross channel passenger services from Monday 13 to Saturday 18 May as engineers continue to effect repairs to one of Liberation’s engines. The freight-only MV Arrow will deputise for Clipper from Portsmouth and provide capacity for Condor’s freight services to Guernsey and Jersey.
Paul Luxon, Condor’s CEO, said: “We are disappointed that the repair to Liberation is taking longer than anticipated but the additional capacity brought in and our revised schedule is in line with published contingency plans and will maintain passenger and freight services across our network.”
Clipper will replace Liberation in Poole and sail from Monday to Friday at 10:30 to Guernsey, arriving at 16:30, on to Jersey at 19:15, returning to Guernsey at 22:00, and back to Poole for 09:30 the following morning. Saturday will see a similar pattern with an earlier 09:00 departure from Poole. The MV Arrow takes over Clipper’s round trip to Guernsey and Jersey from Portsmouth over the same six day period.
Liberation will return to service on Sunday 19 May and run on two engines until 24 May to allow for repairs to be completed.
“We believe that with this plan in place, the overwhelming majority of passengers will be accommodated and freight customers will see limited change to services,” added Mr Luxon.
Condor’s customer care teams are contacting passengers to offer a transfer to one of the alternative sailings, where space allows, or to receive a full refund.
