Travel operators accused of 'profiteering' as ferry boss makes announcement

Travel operators accused of 'profiteering' as ferry boss makes announcementBoss Christophe Mathieu said it is ' absolutely the unacceptable face of capitalism'CommentsTravelNeil Shaw Assistant Editor (Money and Lifestyle)06:33, 22 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesA Brittany Ferries ship from PortsmouthA ferry operator has pledged it will not raise prices in the coming months or be disrupted by fuel shortages, despite the conflict in the Middle East. Brittany Ferries boss Christophe Mathieu accused other transport providers of “profiteering”.‌The company said it secured the “vast majority” of its fuel at a fixed price – known as hedging – which limits the impact of the rise in the cost of oil. Some other transport operators did not do this, and are “looking to others to cover their losses” like “bad gamblers”, it said.‌Brittany Ferries also said its suppliers have “guaranteed the free-flow of all maritime fuels”. It made the comments as rival ferry operator DFDS told the Jersey Evening Post it will attempt to absorb higher costs but “ultimately, we are going to have to share that pain until prices drop again”.‌View 3 ImagesCross channel ferry Saint Malo inbound to PortsmouthSome airlines such as Virgin Atlantic have imposed fuel surcharges on passengers in response to higher oil prices, and others such as KLM have cancelled flights amid concerns about a shortage of fuel. Mr Mathieu from Brittany Ferries, whose British operations connect Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth with France and northern Spain, said: “If you have booked with us, or are considering doing so, we will get you to a beautiful and safe holiday destination this year. Period.“Secondly, we will play no part in profiteering or seeking to recover losses from a gamble gone wrong, as some appear to be doing. The cost of our holidays rose by inflation earlier this year, and by inflation alone.‌“There will be no further rises in the weeks or months ahead. Conflict or other global uncertainty should neve...