Test letter results indicate Maltapost delivers high percentage next day

Maltapost last week said that the results of recent test letter postings in the Maltese Islands show that 96.7 per cent next-day delivery was achieved during February, and 98.7 per cent was achieved last month. Mail is being consistently cleared and delivered each day, and Maltapost is confident that a high level of service is being provided, it stated.

Foreign mail has been a cause for concern, particularly since Christmas. Investigations have been undertaken on this problem, and have resulted in the following actions being taken:

¤ Air Malta have taken the necessary action on cargo handlers at London Heathrow to ensure that standards are met;

¤ the French postal administration, La Poste, have reviewed some recently installed processes at their new facility in Paris;

¤ Royal Mail have implemented further controls at London Heathrow to ensure smoother transit of mail; and

¤ Australia Post have taken action to ensure their handlers transit mail with the least possible delay.

Maltapost adopts a "clear floor" policy, and all incoming foreign mail is cleared on a daily basis. Foreign mail bearing Christmas dates are still being received. Meanwhile, all incoming foreign mail is now being backstamped by Maltapost. In response to the criticism received in recent weeks, the staff at Maltapost have responded and are committed to provide the best possible service.

Customers will also have noted that Maltapost branches are being refurbished, and this refurbishment programme will continue throughout this year and next. A new counter system has also been installed and, after a period of testing, will improve service to customers, Maltapost said.