Hovertravel

Business Overview

Hovertravel Ltd is Europe's only scheduled hovercraft passenger service. In operation for almost 50 years, Hovertravel provides a vital ferry link for foot passengers between Ryde on the Isle of Wight, and Southsea, Portsmouth. With a journey time of less than 10 minutes, the hovercraft 'flys' customers across the Solent quicker than any other ferry operator. Carrying in excess of 900,000 passengers per annum, in 2011 Hovertravel secured its biggest ever recorded market share of traffic between the Island and the mainland. 

Hovertravel has extended its timetable into the early evenings and has introduced new boarding procedures. Operating later into the evening has enabled Hovertravel to approach a range of commercial partners who in turn assist with creating promotional packages for Island and mainland residents. One such success has been with Gunwharf Quays. Following on from a historic visit for the hovercraft into Portsmouth harbour, shopping and entertainment deals have boosted traffic from the Island to the mainland.

Additionally, several unscheduled charters to The Needles, Bognor Regis and Littlehampton have generated interest and new customers all along the South Coast.

Hovertravel’s customers range from the occasional to the frequent, from the tourist to the business person, and from the UK to international visitors. By evolving the operation to adapt to these differing customer needs, Hovertravel is leading the way in foot passenger ferries.