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Swiftair Rates 1980-2003

Introduction

1982 - 15½p inland first class postal stationery envelope uprated for 26p basic rate postage to Zone B + £1.50 Swiftair fee

From 1980 the international Express Delivery service was rebranded and enhanced as "Swiftair", which offered accelerated handing in the UK as well as at the destination. Swiftair packets bore a red label with white text and the international Exprès designation.

Initially it was only available for all-up letters to Europe, and airmail letters and printed papers elsewhere. When the airmail services were revised from 16th September 1991 it applied to any airmail packet worldwide.

From 1996-2002 there were discounted combined fees when Swiftair was used in conjuction with either International Recorded or International Registered, and these are repeated below for convenience.

Swiftair 1980-2003

From 31st October 2002 until the service was withdrawn, additional compensation cover up to £250 or £500 (depending on destination) was available for an extra £1.00, as for the International Signed For and Airsure services.

Date Fee Date Fee Date Fee Date Fee
1980
(13 Oct)
£1.00 1981
(26 Jan)
£1.25 1982
(1 Feb)
£1.50 1988
(5 Sep)
£1.65
1989
(2 Oct)
£1.75 1990
(17 Sep)
£1.85 1991
(16 Sep)
£1.95 1993
(28 Jun)
£2.70
1999
(26 Apr)
£2.85 2002
(31 Oct)
£3.30 2003
(8 Oct)
Last day

Swiftair Combined Services 1996-2002

For the period 1996-99 the relevant Post Office Scheme (although not the rates leaflets) quoted cheaper Swiftair prices for packets "collected by an officer of the Post Office" rather than posted at a Post Office – these were presumably for contract services, but are shown in italics inside brackets below for reference.

The last day for these combined rates was 30th October 2002 (i.e. the last day of the International Recorded and International Registered services).

Date Swiftair +
Intl. Recorded
Swiftair +
Intl. Registered
Date Swiftair +
Intl. Recorded
Swiftair +
Intl. Registered
1996
(29 Jan)
£3.30 (£3.00) £3.80 - £500  (£3.40)
£4.50 - £2200 (£4.00)
1999
(26 Apr)
£3.50 £4.00 - £500 
£4.75 - £2200