Royal Mail no longer required to deliver next day between the UK and the IOM – Energy FM

Wed, 30 Aug 2023

Royal Mail implemented changes to its UK Postal Scheme from August 6, so it is no longer required to deliver next day mail between the UK and the Isle of Man.

These modifications were accompanied by Royal Mail’s intention to cease operations of their dedicated mail aircraft, in favour of extending ferry and road freight services.

Since Royal Mail’s announcement, Isle of Man Post Office (IOMPO) has held surveys for both residential and business customers. Feedback from over 3,700 residential respondents indicated that a delivery window of two-plus days for UK standard mail was deemed “reasonable”.

The data suggests that 79% of the businesses that responded considered a delivery time of two days or more for UK standard mail as reasonable.

These surveys also highlighted the importance of tracked and guaranteed mail, with 88% of businesses viewing tracked mail as essential or important, and 68% emphasising the significance of guaranteed next day delivery for their business mail.

However, after an online survey with 102 responses, 73% of people 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.”

“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.”