This message is communicated to APPA members at the request of Australia Post.
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia Post obtained special permission under the Sydney Airport Curfew Act 1995 to operate a limited number of flights during the curfew period (11.00pm to 6:00am) at Sydney Airport. The exemption from the curfew allowed Australia Post to continue delivering mail and parcels across the country swiftly and reliably.
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication and the Arts is currently evaluating the continuation of this exemption and its potential revocation in late January or early February 2024. Should this occur, the volume of overnight express items that can be transported across the country will be reduced significantly.
Australia Post is advising customers to take precautions and prepare for delays.
"The potential loss of direct overnight flights to Perth and a simultaneous decrease in aircraft capacity by up to 20% could have repercussions for items sent via Express Post and StarTrack Premium directly from Sydney to Western Australia, as well as to and from Canberra and regional and rural communities in NSW," said Gary Starr, Executive General Manager Parcel, Post and eCommerce Services at Australia Post.
"Although freight volumes from Sydney to Perth have grown by 50% since the onset of the pandemic, the removal of dispensation measures may unfairly impact businesses and consumers, particularly those located in regional and rural areas."
Australia Post is currently reviewing its operations to ensure disruption is kept to a minimal if the government proceeds with the revocation of the exemption. Please keep an eye on your email inbox for communication from APPA or your Account Manager at Australia Post should there be any progress or decisions made in the coming days.
