Christophe Mathieu, pictured, made the comments after rival ferry operator DFDS said it would attempt to absorb higher costs but ‘we are going to have to share that pain until prices drop again’.
During an interview on the GB News Breakfast programme yesterday, Brittany Ferries CEO Christophe Mathieu said that ‘some companies’ were using the Iran conflict and its impact on global oil prices to put prices up.
‘We find it very surprising as normally you hedge your fuel cost, and when you’ve done so, as we have done, you’re no longer exposed to the fluctuation of the prices,’ he said.
‘But of course, if you’ve not done so, you have a problem, because you need to find a solution to recoup your cost.
‘We talked to our supplier and we are very clear with them that there will be no shortage of supply. So therefore, as far as we, Brittany Ferries, are concerned, we are very confident, and that’s why I just want to convey that message, that there will be no shortage, no cancellation of trips, and no price rise, because we know our cost for the next six months.’
Mr Mathieu added that Brittany Ferries had recently seen an increase in bookings as passengers concerned about shortages of jet fuel looked to ferries for summer trips to the continent.
‘I guess that may be a direct consequence of the news,’ he said.
‘We’ve seen a surge of bookings in the last couple of weeks. That is hopefully a sign that people are no longer waiting to start booking their summer vacation, and hopefully the fact that they know with us they don’t have any nasty surprise will also help boost the bookings.’
The chief executive of Aurigny also appeared on national media at the beginning of the month, reassuring travellers about the availability of aviation fuel. Nico Bezuidenhout said the airline had certainty for ‘at least the next four to six weeks’.