An Post says it expects to be delivering international Christmas parcels sent to Ireland throughout the month of January.
Many items sent from Ireland for delivery worldwide before Christmas are still in transit in airports and sea ports across the globe, An Post has revealed.
In an update issued on Monday (11 January), An Post said that widespread transport restrictions related to Covid-19 and international lockdowns have had a significant impact on the distribution and delivery of international parcels and letters.
Local delivery depots across the globe have also been impacted by Covid-19, An Post said, while severe winter conditions in some areas have also contributed to delays.
As a result, intended recipients of Christmas parcels and letters sent from Ireland are still waiting on delivery.
The situation is similar with letters and parcels sent to Ireland from abroad, with An Post saying it expects to be receiving and delivering items sent to Ireland before Christmas throughout the month of January.
“The number of international flights continues to be severely impacted by the Covid crisis, with only limited space available for international letters and parcels,” a statement by An Post read.
“As a result, many items posted in Ireland during December for delivery across the world are still in transit through airports and sea ports.
“Also, local delivery depots across the globe have been impacted by Covid, while some areas are also dealing with severe winter weather conditions.”
“An Post expects to be receiving incoming international Christmas parcels and letters for delivery in Ireland throughout January,” the statement added.
“We assure customers that we continue to deliver all international letters and parcels as soon as they are received into Ireland.”
On top of issues caused by severe weather and the Covid-19 pandemic, Brexit has also impacted on the delivery of items to and from the UK since it exited the European Union on 31 December.
Last week, DPD said it was pausing deliveries from the UK to European countries, including Ireland, until at least Wednesday (13 January), with an update on the situation due on Tuesday.
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