Unveiling annual results for the year from November to October, the operator said passenger volumes on Channel routes were an issue.

“While our long routes have surged forwards, the Channel is a real concern for Brittany Ferries and our partners,” said Brittany Ferries chief executive Christophe Mathieu.

“Overall [passenger] volumes were down by 35% to 1.22 million units in the last year. There are a number of reasons for this disappointing performance, including French borders re-opening in mid-January missing much of the busiest period for holiday bookings post-Christmas.

“But the post-Brexit imposition of passports for French passengers visiting the UK has dramatically hit this side of our business too. 

“What is needed now is a concerted push from tourist bodies in France and the UK to boost volumes next year and to aid the recovery of this market for us and other companies operating in the tourism sector.”

Total passenger volume fell 26% to 1.68 million. The biggest fall was on the Portsmouth-Cherbourg route, down 58% compared to 2019, with others ranging from -21% to -34%. This was in contrast to Ireland-France, up 46%, and UK-Spain-Ireland, up 9%. 

Britanny Ferries said its longer routes helped keep it in the black. It will reveal financial results at its AGM in March 2023.

Despite the difficulties, the operator was optimistic for the year ahead. “Forward reservations are positive and there are no barriers to passengers crossing borders, as there were in France at the beginning of 2022,” it concluded.