Jet2.com owner Dart Group retains Royal Mail contract

DART Group has announced that its airline Jet2.com has re-won three quarters of its work from Royal Mail.

The Leeds-based company, which as well as the airline, operates a package holidays business and the Fowler Welch distribution and logistics business, said Jet2.com has retained contracts for six out of the eight routes currently operated but under reduced margins.

The group has been operating flights for the Royal Mail through its subsidiaries since 1980.

Jet2 operates some mail flights under contract for Royal Mail with QC aircraft overnight, during the day these aircraft are used for carrying passengers alongside the rest of the fleet.

The current routes with the Royal Mail are due to terminate in 2014.

Jet2.com was invited to retender, along with a number of other airlines, for the Royal Mail's revised network from 2014.

The group said: "As a result of the competitive retender process, there has been a reduction in the margin that will be enjoyed by the group going forward.

"However, this was expected and the Royal Mail business will still make a valuable contribution.

"Retaining approximately 75% of its Royal Mail business represents a positive outcome for the group and is regarded as a reflection of the very high service levels maintained over many years."