South African Post Office collaborates with Ethiopian Airlines

South African Post Office will utilise Ethiopian Airlines to provide airmail services for certain destinations.

Many South Africans avoid using the state-run postal service. This is because its service levels and efficiency are not always up to scratch.

Since last year the SA Post Office has been finalising contracts with a number of airlines that will carry airmail to and from South Africa.

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SOUTH AFRICAN POST OFFICE

The state-run South African Post Office has been marred by financial and operational challenges for a number of years.

The entity has been placed under business rescue, with practitioners trying to find ways to improve the situation for the South African Post Office.

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES ASSISTS THE SOUTH AFRICAN POST OFFICE WITH AIRMAIL SERVICES

DFA reports that SAPO’s Business Rescue Practitioners, Anoosh Rooplal and Juanito Damons have announced a contract with Ethiopian Airlines.

This has been effected to provide airmail services to additional international destinations.

The partnership with Ethiopian Airlines will enable the SA Post Office to deliver and receive mail from China and African countries.

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SWISS INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES

The latest deal follows SAPO’s partnership with Swiss Airlines, whose services have been contracted for international mail services to Europe and Japan.

This was finalised in October 2023.

AFRICA AND CHINA

The new deal excludes countries sharing a border with South Africa, where mail will continue to be delivered by road.

Ethiopian Airlines will deliver mail four times a week via its hub in Addis Ababa from where mail will be transported to the various African destinations.

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ADDITIONAL DESTINATIONS

Airmail heading for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands was handled by Qantas in December 2023. This service is arranged on a month-to-month basis.

The Post Office also uses Qantas Airways to convey airmail to countries in South East Asia.

SEEKING ANOTHER PARTNER

SAPO’s business practitioners are in the process of enlisting an additional airline to handle airmail heading to North America.

Ethiopian Airlines and Swiss Airlines will handle this region for the time being, though with a limited capacity.