The General Post Office (GPO) has confirmed the reinstatement of mail services to several regional and international destinations, following months of disruption caused by air transportation challenges.

Postmaster Algernon Gomes announced that alternative shipping arrangements have now been secured, allowing the GPO to resume deliveries to a number of previously affected countries.

Gomes explained that postal services throughout the Caribbean — including Antigua and Barbuda — have been grappling with increased airfreight costs, limited flight options, infrastructure limitations, regulatory hurdles, and the ever-present threat of natural disasters. These factors, he said, significantly disrupted the smooth movement of mail across the region.

For a period, Antigua and Barbuda was unable to efficiently dispatch mail to certain Caribbean destinations. However, the situation has now improved, with services restored to The Bahamas, Barbados, the Cayman Islands, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Turks and Caicos, and Trinidad and Tobago.

International services have also resumed or continued to key destinations. The GPO confirmed that letter mail remains available to the United States, while services also extend to Great Britain, Canada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Germany, Switzerland, and select other overseas locations.

Addressing concerns about package delivery, Gomes clarified that the issue primarily involved small parcels rather than traditional letters. He noted that in today’s digital era, the volume of letter mail has declined significantly, with most shipments now consisting of small packages.

To help resolve the backlog, the GPO has partnered with British Airways, which has provided additional cargo space to facilitate the transport of these parcels.

The Post Office is reminding customers that the weekly cut-off day for international mail dispatch remains Wednesday.

Members of the public seeking additional details on mailing schedules and service procedures are encouraged to contact or visit the GPO’s headquarters on Lady Nugent Avenue. Updates are also available via the General Post Office – Antigua and Barbuda Facebook page.

The GPO further reminded customers that its headquarters has relocated to Nugent Avenue, south of Peoples Place. Weekend operations are available on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., primarily to facilitate stamp sales and mail collection for box holders affected by the relocation.

Regular weekday hours at the new location are Monday to Thursday from 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Fridays from 8:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Officials say the General Post Office remains committed to ensuring dependable and efficient postal services for residents and businesses across Antigua and Barbuda.