Latest news with #UniversalService
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Royal Mail faces fine as almost one in four first-class letters arrive late
Royal Mail is facing the threat of a fresh fine after delivering almost one in four first-class letters late. The postal service fell short of its targets for letter deliveries in its latest financial year, triggering an Ofcom investigation that could lead to a sanction. If confirmed, it would be the third consecutive year of financial penalties for Royal Mail over its poor performance. In December, Ofcom slapped the company with a record £10.5m fine for failing to meet delivery targets, while in 2023 it was fined £5.6m for the same reason. Under Royal Mail's universal service obligation (USO), it is required to deliver 93pc of first-class mail within one working day of collection and 98.5pc of second-class mail within three working days. However, the company said on Friday it had delivered just 76.5pc of first-class letters and 92.2pc of second-class post within these deadlines in the year to March. The figures marked a small improvement on the previous year. Royal Mail said it was improving reliability through a number of measures including reducing sickness absences, extending delivery times and increasing use of automation. However, bosses have long argued that quality of service is being hampered by onerous requirements under the USO. The postal service, which made a loss of £348m in the year to March 2024, has called for an easing of rules to reflect the sharp decline in letter sending in recent years. Ofcom has outlined plans to allow Royal Mail to end second-class letter deliveries on alternate days and Saturdays, as well as watering down the main quality of service targets. While the company is supportive of these plans, it has pushed back against so-called 'tail of the mail' targets. These cover letters that miss the initial USO requirement. Ofcom is pushing Royal Mail to be required to deliver virtually all letters within three days for first class and five days for second class. Bosses have warned these rules would add 'significant' costs and lead to further increases in stamp prices for consumers. Alistair Cochrane, Royal Mail's chief operating officer, said: 'Our quality of service is not yet where we want it to be and we will continue to work hard to deliver the standards our customers expect. We are actively modernising Royal Mail, and while these efforts are beginning to deliver results, we know there is still more to do. 'We will continue to engage with Ofcom throughout their investigation, providing information about the steps we have been taking to improve. But we cannot address the structural challenges we face alone, urgent reform of the Universal Service is essential to provide a more reliable and sustainable service for the benefit of all our customers.' Royal Mail's lagging performance will prove a major challenge for Daniel Kretinsky, the Czech tycoon who last month sealed his £3.6bn takeover of the 500-year-old postal service. Mr Kretinsky has committed to maintaining the USO, alongside a number of other legally binding undertakings linked to his takeover. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Zawya
13-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
TK Elevator seals new Dubai airport maintenance contract
UAE - TK Elevator (TKE), a global leader in vertical transportation and urban mobility, said it has further solidified its role as a premier infrastructure partner in the Middle East with a new 10-year contract with Dubai Airports to service and maintain Dubai International's (DXB) passenger boarding bridges (PBB) and aircraft stand equipment. The contract includes service provision for all four concourses in DXB, including the prestigious Concourse D, and Concourse A – home to Emirates and purpose-built for the world´s largest passenger airplanes, the A380 and B777. At DXB, the global urban mobility leader provides comprehensive, integral life-cycle services, including 24/7 maintenance for the uninterrupted operation of 152 PBBs, pre-conditioned air, and ground power units at one of the most demanding airport facilities worldwide. By optimising the lifespan and performance of key airport assets, TKE advances the airport's sustainability goals and operational excellence. "Our reputation for service and product excellence coupled with deep experience and relationship with Dubai Airports enabled us to understand the specific service and operability requirements of the world's busiest airport for international passenger traffic," remarked Ignacio Medina, CEO Airport Solutions at TK Elevator. TKE's relationship with Dubai Airports began in 2004, covering a large span of products and services to efficiently and safely move people in DXB. The partnership brought the world's-first PBBs designed and implemented for the A380 - bridges that are still in operation today. In September 2024, the companies announced a multi-year Universal Service contract which covers close to 5,000 TKE and third-party elevators, escalators and other equipment throughout DXB for passenger and cargo operations. "We are honored to be awarded this service contract to continue to secure DXB's expansion and rating as a flagship airport for global travel," he stated. Omar Binadai, Chief Technology & Infrastructure Officer at Dubai Airports said: "Dubai International (DXB) thrives on partnerships that drive seamless journeys for tens of millions of guests annually and support the operational backbone of our airport." "Our collaboration with TK Elevator reflects this ethos, combining innovation and reliability to enhance critical airport infrastructure. This agreement ensures DXB continues to set global benchmarks in operational excellence and guest experience, keeping the world's most connected airport running at its best," he added.- TradeArabia News Service Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Royal Mail to scrap second class post on Saturdays
Second class letter deliveries will be scrapped on Saturdays under new proposals put forward by Ofcom. The regulator has confirmed it plans to overhaul postal rules to allow Royal Mail to deliver second class post on alternate weekdays – and to end the Saturday service. First class letters will still be delivered on Saturdays, while a cap on second class stamp prices will remain in place. Ofcom has put forward proposals to change Royal Mail's universal service obligation, which currently requires it to deliver to any address six days a week, as declining letter volumes has driven up the cost of delivery. The postal service was delivering 20bn letters annually two decades ago. That figure now stands at 6.6bn and is expected to fall to 4bn over the next few years. Royal Mail, which lost £348m last year, has warned the changes are needed to secure the company's financial sustainability. The 500-year-old business was privatised in 2013, before being bought at the end of last year by the Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský. Ofcom has also outlined plans to water down Royal Mail's quality of service targets. The company must currently delivery 93pc of first class post the next day and 98.5pc of second class post within three days. These requirements will be lowered to 90pc and 95pc respectively. However, Ofcom will introduce a so-called 'backstop' target requiring that 99.5pc of first class post is delivered within three days and 99.5pc of second class post arrives within five days. It said this would ensure customers would have confidence their letters will arrive in a reasonable time and targets recent issues where they have taken weeks to arrive. Natalie Black of Ofcom said: 'The world has changed – we're sending a third of the letters we were 20 years ago. We need to reform the postal service to protect its future and ensure it delivers for the whole of the UK. But we're safeguarding what matters most to people – first class mail six days a week at the same price throughout the UK, and a price cap on second class stamps.' Royal Mail plans to trial the proposed changes over the coming months. Ofcom has launched a consultation and plans to make its final decision over the summer. Emma Gilthorpe, chief executive of Royal Mail, said: 'Ofcom has recognised the urgent need for change so that the future of the Universal Service can be protected for all. 'Our proposal was developed after speaking to thousands of people across the country and is designed to preserve what matters most for our customers – maintaining a one-price-goes-anywhere service to 32m UK addresses and first class deliveries six days a week. 'As Ofcom's analysis shows, it is no longer financially sustainable to maintain a network built for 20bn letters when we are now only delivering 6.7bn. Reform is crucial to support a modern, sustainable, and reliable postal service for our customers, our company and our people.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
