Business
Air Mail Axed
73% of respondents to a Chamber of Commerce survey deemed maintaining a UK next-day guarantee service as critical.
Post between the UK and the Isle of Man no longer be carried by plane from October.
As of August 6, Royal Mail is no longer required to deliver next day mail between the UK and the Isle of Man.
However, while most next day delivery has been dropped, it will still be available to some businesses.
Isle of Man Post Office said it has sought to understand its customer preferences and needs, drawing on recent surveys of both residential and business customers, with feedback from over 3,700 residential respondents indicating that a delivery window of two-plus days for UK standard mail was deemed reasonable.
Likewise, among 115 business respondents, 79% considered a delivery time of two days or more for UK standard mail as reasonable.
An additional online survey aimed at businesses, supported by the Chamber of Commerce, garnered 102 responses and revealed that 73% of respondents deemed maintaining a UK next-day guarantee service as critical.
Simon Kneen, Chief Executive of IOMPO said: ‘Our research demonstrates that the vast majority of our customers would not be affected by the transition from aircraft to ferry, and therefore our primary focus has been to find solutions for those who might be more impacted by the change.’
He said that the shift from a dedicated aircraft to the existing ferry and road freight systems is projected to reduce CO2 emissions by over 600 tonnes annually.
Simon continued: ‘In response to the expressed demand from commercial customers, IOMPO will introduce Royal Mail’s ‘Tracked 48’ product. This offering will provide business account customers with a competitive product equipped with tracking to the point of delivery and insurance coverage of £150.
‘Additionally, in collaboration with Royal Mail, IOMPO will initiate a trial to maintain a UK guaranteed next day service. This service will be managed through a scheduled airline, when Royal Mail discontinue their dedicated aircraft operation in mid-October. It will be available to IOMPO business account customers, with an option for other customers to utilise this service for personal mail via the customer counter at Postal Headquarters in Braddan.
‘This trial phase will allow IOMPO to assess customer demand and gauge commercial viability. All other mail to/from the UK will be efficiently transferred using established ferry and road services.’
