Guernsey Post in talks over mail plane replacement

[POSTMAN]

https://au.news.yahoo.com/guernsey-post ... KlWy1baho-

Guernsey Post is "confident" of finding a mail plane replacement when Royal Mail withdraws its funding in April.

The UK postal service announced plans to pull its "equal contribution" of the funding in August 2024, due to a "steady decline in volume" making planes underfilled.

CEO of Guernsey post, Steve Sheridan said specific details remain confidential, but he is in "advanced negotiations" to maintain the mail service.

"We are in a very good position and remain hopeful of announcing something in the coming weeks which would provide the continuation of that connectivity," he said.

'Absolutely imperative'
The possibility of a shared mail plane between Guernsey and Jersey was raised in September by government officials. (See post below)

"The solution that we are negotiating at the moment, is very much a Guernsey only solution," Mr Sheridan said.

"Our own unique requirements in Guernsey are very much very different in the sense that we will be filling to capacity any future mail planes, we'll have requirement for 100% of the space on that plane."

Mr Sheridan said having two online greeting card businesses that rely on fast delivery worldwide from Guernsey, was "absolutely" part of the island needing its own plane.

"The volumes that we are handling on a daily basis for those businesses really do render the option for a mail plane to be commercially viable," he said.

"I think that it is absolutely imperative, it's a key requirement in their continued existence on the island.

"We want to support that for the wider economic benefits that brings as well.

"Of course for businesses that need next day mail solutions as well, having that connectivity will be important that we continue to provide the services that they need."

[POSTMAN]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdr ... 5Bisapi%5D

10 September 2024

Jersey's chief minister has agreed to have discussions with Guernsey about sharing a mail plane in future - but has warned it is likely to be "commercially unviable".

Jersey lost its mail plane in favour of boat delivery in August 2023 and Royal Mail has now said it would pull funding for its Guernsey flights from April 2025.

During question time in Jersey's States, Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham was asked if he would engage with his "Guernsey counterparts" to discuss sharing the cost of a plane in future.

Mr Farnham said the annual cost for a mail plane was £6m per annum with £1.2m being covered by the Post Office in Jersey and the rest by Royal Mail.

'Commercially unviable'
He added: "So I think commercially, whilst I'm prepared to have discussions with Guernsey, I think being realistic it's going to be commercially unviable."

Jersey's final mail plane was in August 2023 after which all letters, parcels and packages from the UK have been delivered via ferry, with a two-day delivery time.

In response to a subsequent petition from islanders, ministers said the removal of the plane would have "little impact".

Mark Siviter, CEO of Jersey Post Group, said it would aim to find the "fastest alternative routes possible" for mail.

"Nonetheless, our responsibility is to our customers and, while most will not notice any change, our priority is to find solutions for those impacted."

Julie Thomas, managing director of Postal and Logistics at Jersey Post, said: “As the Chief Minister has pointed out, Royal Mail funded 80% of the mail plane to and from the UK.

"We remain open to the potential to create a viable option for a premium airmail service, however this seems unlikely set against the dramatic decline in mail over the last two years and the rising cost of such services."

Royal Mail declined to comment.

[Barnacle]

Where Royal Mail withdraws, others step in. It’s a dangerous game.