Guernsey mail plane service to end in July

An island's dedicated mail plane service will be withdrawn in July, a postal service has confirmed.

Guernsey Post said after the final outbound flight on 3 July, all standard mail transported to the UK would be delivered via the sea freight network.

The service said "rising supply chain costs mean it is no longer cost-effective to operate a dedicated export aircraft each weekday".

In 2025, Guernsey Post announced it had secured the now-ending air solution following Royal Mail's decision to withdraw its own dedicated plane service.

Guernsey Post said the decision to withdraw air delivery was due to "market conditions, costs and usage patterns".

It has warned customers they should allow an additional 24 hours for deliveries to connect with UK services, following the transition to sea freight.

However, the service said it recognised the importance of a next-day delivery for urgent items and was working to secure a daily service using commercial partners for scheduled flights.

Businesses sending bulk-mail are the primary users of the mail plane, but a spokesperson from the online greeting card retailer Moonpig said it "intends to continue operating" from its site in the island.

Similarly, Funky Pigeon said it was "working closely with Guernsey Post on future arrangements and remains committed to our fulfillment centre in Guernsey, which plays a key role in serving our customers".

Steve Sheridan, Guernsey Post chief executive, said: "Our priority is to provide a reliable, well-managed and financially sustainable postal service for the island.

"Transitioning standard mail to sea allows for that whilst also protecting essential services for those who depend on them."

Guernsey Post said it would also introduce new competitively priced parcel options at the time of the July transition to sea.

Which, the service said "are made possible by the efficiencies generated through the move to sea".

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