Last updated: 30 March 2020.
The UPU's
International Bureau (IB) has been monitoring the disruptions to the global
postal supply chain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and is seeking to identify
possible ways to mitigate its impact – particularly with regard to the
widespread restrictions and cancellations of passenger flights.
The IB is
currently looking for alternatives to help Union member countries and their
designated operators (DOs) airlift postal dispatches held in the offices of
exchange of many countries. In this regard, the IB urges DOs to explore the use
of cargo flights as an alternative to passenger flights where possible. There
are indications that some airlines are also using their current spare capacity
on passenger flights to carry cargo. DOs should explore this possibility with
their partner airlines.
If any DOs are already using cargo flights and/or
spare capacity on passenger flights to transport postal items, they are kindly
invited to share information on these carriers with the UPU's Transport
Programme Manager, Mr Ján Bojnanský, by e-mail at jan.bojnansky(at)upu.int.
This will enable the IB to prepare a consolidated list of available carriers
for reference for other Union member countries and their DOs.
Cooperating
with IATA
In a similar vein, the IB has also been in contact
with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to explore the
possibility of using cargo flights as an alternative to passenger flights to
ensure the continued transportation of postal items. Up-to-date information
regarding the current availability and status of air cargo carriers can be
found at www.tact-online.org/covid-19 and www.iata.org/cargo.
Furthermore,
the IB remains in close contact with Union member countries and their DOs with
a view to advising them on all existing restrictions owing to passenger flight
cancellations and lack of transport capacity. The IB urges DOs to contact their
local or regional airlines and surface cargo providers, and to share any
information on available transport capacity (by air or any mode of surface
transport) with the IB through the contact point indicated above.
Consolidated
information
A table consolidating all the information referred
to above, including new transport solutions by rail, air freight and sea, is currently
being prepared. It will be updated regularly based on input from all supply
chain partners, and will be shared with all Union member countries and their
DOs. The table will soon be accessible via the Quality Control System (QCS) big
data tools, at qcsmailbd.ptc.post,
using UPU Documentation Centre user credentials (the same as are used to access
EmIS messages). The table provides details of new rail transport routes available
between Europe and Asia (both ways), a new chartered cargo flight for the
transportation of mail between Europe and China, and sea transport options to
Australia, Canada and the United States. Please liaise with the contact persons
provided in the table or with Mr Ján Bojnanský for more information.
EmIS
messages
In addition, Union member countries and their DOs
can view the latest COVID-19 status table, which contains summaries of the
messages received from Union member countries and their DOs on measures
implemented in relation to the COVID-19 situation, at www.upu.int/en/activities/quality-of-service/communication-from-member-countries-on-covid-19.html.
This includes additional information such as direct links to the text of any
relevant EmIS messages and the indication of start/end dates (where
applicable).
The IB is working to further enhance this status
table, to meet the needs of Union member countries and their DOs in terms of
accessibility and the relevance of the information provided. For further
information or clarification of urgent matters of an operational or technical
nature, UPU members can contact the IB by e-mail at urgent(at)upu.int and/or PTC.support(at)upu.int.
