Royal Mail narrowly missed its target for the delivery of First Class mail from the end of Marchto early June due to the disruption to UK air services caused by ash from the Icelandic volcano
eruption.According to the company’s latest service quality report, the majority of other quality targetsapart from First Class mail were achieved during spring.
The performance report for the period from the end of March to early June showed that 92.6% ofFirst Class stamped and franked mail arrived the day after posting – but if it had not been for theair disruption caused by volcanic ash, First Class would have exceeded its 93.0% target, Royal Mailstressed.
For the summer month, First Class Mail showed again a positive result performing ahead of its93.0% target.
The report shows that Second Class stamped and franked mail exceeded its 98.5% target with a98.6% performance, along with most business mail services, Standard Parcels and InternationalDelivery for mail posted in the UK for European destinations.
Mark Higson, Royal Mail’s Managing Director, said: “We’re very determined to keep improving ourperformance to ensure we consistently hit our targets and our people are very focused on deliveringthe best possible service at all times for all our customers. “
Royal Mail operates the UK’s largest night-time air charter operation to fly First Class mailtravelling longer distances, for example between Scotland and the south of England. Although FirstClass mail was transferred to road and ferry services during the period of disruption to UK flightsin April, there are no alternative distribution routes which ensure next-day delivery.
