Royal Mail have announced that they will end their financial contribution to the daily mail plane with effect from April 2025. Under current arrangements Guernsey Post and Royal Mail make an equal contribution to the cost of the aircraft which is used exclusively to transport mail between Guernsey and the UK.
This decision is part of a wider plan by Royal Mail to reduce costs across their postal network and follows changes last year which ultimately resulted in the removal of the daily flight to and from Jersey and the Isle of Man. Initially Royal Mail had confirmed that the current arrangements would stay in place for Guernsey, but this position has subsequently changed.
Boley Smillie, Chief Executive of Guernsey Post said, “We were informed of Royal Mail’s change in position earlier this year, which was disappointing news. However, we have been working hard to secure a deal with alternative potential partners. As commercial negotiations are underway it is too early to comment further but we are making good progress. Our priority is to secure the current or a similar aircraft and maintain next day delivery services to the UK from Guernsey.”
Boley Smillie continued, “Over the course of the last few months we have been working collaboratively with several of our major clients who export from the Island, and they have been kept fully informed of the developments and are supportive of our plans. In the meantime, it is at least seven months before any change takes place, so it is business as usual.”