Guernsey's mail plane service to end in July

Thursday, 12 March 2026 06:10

Guernsey Post blames increasing costs for the decision to route mail by sea.

Royal Mail made the decision to end Jersey's mail plane service, based around costs and environmental concerns, in 2023.

In 2024 Guernsey Post faced a similar situation, as Royal Mail withdrew its funding for half of the cost of the mail plane.

Guernsey Post worked to find a new operator to take over from April 2025, although incoming mail began to be routed by boat.

Now, the service is being shelved because of increasing supply chain costs, market conditions and usage.

Guernsey Post advise customers to allow an extra day for their post to connect with UK postal deliveries.

Major greetings card company Moonpig says it was aware of the decision but will keep operating from Guernsey and told Island FM that it is busy fulfilling Mothering Sunday orders for this coming weekend.

A Funky Pigeon spokesperson said: “We are working closely with Guernsey Post on future arrangements and remain committed to our fulfilment centre in Guernsey, which plays a key role in serving our customers.”

Guernsey Post CEO Steve Sheridan says they are working with partners to get a next-day service for urgent mail using scheduled commercial flights, which is taken to mean Aurigny.

“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.”

Using the boat will mean different working patterns for some employees and Guernsey Post says it is talking with staff and unions over this.

It is planned to introduce 'new, competitively priced parcel options' to coincide with the early July transition to a boat, and Guernsey Post says this will be made possible by the cost saving of using sea freight.