Royal Mail Post Contracts
 

With Jet2 737-300 gradually starting to disappear, being replaced by 737-800s, what will happen to the Royal Mail contracts? Is there any chance of an operater with Saab340 or ATPs picking up mail contacts?

It's an interesting question. I have no idea of the actual loads involved but it would seem a TP could perhaps be a more efficient choice than an aging medium sized jet.

It used to be 5 or 6 ton payload, Dart powered turboprops, (Herald, F27, HS748), then went to 15 ton Electra, and then 18/20 ton 737. Cant see the main routes going smaller again. More like West Atlantic getting more work.

Assuming West Atlantic picked up the contracts.


Why would they consider using ATPs when then have 737s, so could easy do the two rotations.


If the load reduced as has been predicted. West Atlantic would have the option to do on rotation with the larger 737-400.

The original post appeared to be asking if an ATP or Saab would be used.

http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2016/10/28/884102/0/en/West-Atlantic-AB-publ-Announces-new-expanded-contract-with-Royal-Mail-Group-Plc.html

Out of interest, why would the 738's not be used place of the 733's ?

Jet2 have a number of freight door 733s used on the mail contracts. The new model does not have a freight door

when I worked on the Royal Mail contracts for BMI out of LHR we just used a normal 737, even the seats stayed in situ, all loaded through pax and catering doors plus of course the holds

Those were the days ...

Liverpool used to come alive to the sound of Darts - Channel Express, Emerald ..

Pie and chips followed by apple pie and custard in Coventry - at 3am

Two pints of Guinness followed by a 'full Irish' at 0630 before going to bed at The Aldergrove in Belfast ...

Can't be 20 years since surely ... ?!?!?! :-)

They certainly were, also PT6's and it really is 20 years. The Shed was a great first commercial type, we all learnt a lot plugging around in the weather at FL080. The atmosphere in the airside caff at LPL in the run up to Christmas was priceless. Genuinely fond memories for me in spite of the unsocial hours and weekends at BFS. There was always a gaggle of similar night owls in The Aldergrove bar slagging off their respective companies.