Minister to write to Royal Mail following mail plane cancellation fears

Monday 22 May 2023

The Minister for Economic Development has confirmed that he will write to Royal Mail to express the concerns of local businesses, amid fears Jersey's mail plane is to be replaced with a ferry.

Royal Mail recently opened a consultation on proposed changes to its service, which included the replacement of Jersey's daily mail plane with a ferry service.

Not only this, but they have proposed changing Jersey's 'Due Date' definition, so they will not have to guarantee next-day delivery to the Channel Islands.

Online retailers have expressed their concerns that the change to a "clunky" ferry service is likely to result in significantly slower delivery times, which will "significantly" impact their business.

Following a meeting with Jersey Post and local online retailers, the Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Deputy Kirsten Morel has announced that he will be writing to Royal Mail to convey the concerns of local businesses, as part of the consultation process. 

Pictured: The Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Deputy Kirsten Morel. 

Deputy Morel said: "I have met both Jersey Post and local online retailers and fulfilment companies to understand the potential effects of adding a day to the delivery standard for items to and from Jersey and the withdrawal of the mail plane service that this would enable."

While he stated that it would be "premature" to judge the outcome of the consultation, he added: "I am satisfied that Jersey Post understands the likely impacts of these decisions on the local economy and that the company is now actively working with the sector to minimise any disruption to its customers and to ensure Jersey remains an attractive jurisdiction for online retail businesses.”

The consultation will be open until 2 June. Any changes will take effect on 3 August.

You can view the consultation document HERE.