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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.
“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.”
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