About the Postal Act and alternate-day delivery
On 1 January 2023 a new Postal Act came into force, which means that Åland, like our neighbouring countries, is moving to alternate-day delivery. The change is happening gradually and helps make the postal service in Åland cheaper, more secure and more environmentally friendly. From January 2025, alternate-day delivery is being introduced in Kökar, Kumlinge and Brändö. This is the last step in the move to alternate-day mail delivery, which has already been introduced in the rest of Åland during 2023 and 2024.
New Postal Act and changes in mail delivery
The falling number of letters, both locally and globally, has made it necessary to revise the Postal Act. Digitalisation has had a major impact on Åland Post's traditional postal operations, and both the world around us and recipients' needs and ways of sending information have changed.
Changes in mail delivery
Today, on average, fewer than one letter per week that counts as a universal service is delivered to each household. The requirement to maintain five-day delivery is therefore no longer justified. You can read more about what the universal services include on regeringen.ax.
What does the change in the law cover?
The new Postal Act only applies to the universal services. Delivery of daily newspapers, magazines and advertising is not part of these and will continue to be handled on commercial terms as before.
Environmental benefits
Fewer delivery days reduce our emissions and are an important step towards our goal of fossil-free operations.
The new Postal Act came into force on 1 January 2023
The Government of Åland decided that the new Postal Act would come into force on 1 January 2023. Åland Post has gradually adapted its operations and the move to mail delivery every other weekday. Our aim is to create the best possible conditions for a stable and future-proof postal service, where we continue to offer a service of high and consistent quality throughout Åland.
The new model brings clear gains for both the economy and the environment, without any negative impact on our customers or households in Åland. As previously communicated, the delivery of Åland daily newspapers is not affected by the change in the law.
Adapting our operations to the new legislation was preceded by extensive planning. We will share the timetable and details of the changes as the planning progresses.