UK mail flights?

[Avalon]

With the current state of the UK Post Office (Consignia? loosing £1.5m/day, changing to 3.00pm mail deliveries etc) anyone concerned about the future of the Skynet mail flights around the UK?

[UhrCleared-Takeoff]

Most of the Post Office supervisors seem to think that distribution by air will continue and that the railways will suffer the most.. .. .Apparently there was to be review of the air operation during 2003/2004 but this has been bought forward to this year and the general opinion is of larger aircraft being required.. .. .Ten years ago, it was mainly Bandits (1500kg), now it is Sheds (3000kg) and F27/748's (6000kg). Wouldn't be surprised if the next change will be to containerised 146's (9000kg) and/or ATP's (8000kg).

[4Screwaircrew]

Currently bmi fly mail in Airbus aircraft loaded in holds and on seats on the main deck I do not know how that is secured. Titan operate containerised 146 from Stansted and Edinburgh and Channel Express operate 737 300 with containerised loads on a number of routes domestic and international, so the bigger aircraft are in the system and have bee for a number of years.

[freightdoggy dog]

But r 2 b...jobs better than 4 screws, or in the case of Titan 4 hairdryers? . Just curious green fin!. . . . <small>[ 05 March 2002, 12:41: Message edited by: Hogg ]</small>

[Doctor Cruces]

If Consignia want to move up to 8 tonne a/c, it will be interesting to see what Emerald do about that as their philosophy has been to buy old 748s and latterly Sheds. They keep looking at newer stuff with a larger capacity but it seems that if they can buy 2 crocks for the price of one decent a/c they do. Perhaps they will sub in bigger Latvian registered Antonovs?. .. .However as much of their work seems to be mail, perhaps they will have to react and spend some money.. .. .Doc C.