ALPINE Air Express that operates cargo services across the US has announced that the US Postal Service may close its processing facilities in Missoula and Kalispell, Montana and terminate airmail service to these cities.

    This comes as the US Postal Service conducts a study to determine the costs and benefits of trucking the mail for all of western Montana to Spokane, Washington for processing, versus continuing to process the mail in Missoula and Kalispell.

    "Should the proposal be implemented, western Montana will suffer a delay of at least one day in sending and receiving mail. The closure of the Missoula and Kalispell facilities would also negatively impact Alpine's operations, as well as over 120 US Postal Service employees and their families," an Alpine Air statement.

    Said Alpine CEO Gene Mallette: "The US Postal Service is exploring ways to cut costs and we respect and support their efforts. Specifically, Alpine Air has realigned six of its routes for the economic benefit of the US Postal Service. We have also recently taken a voluntary five per cent cut in pay, which will save the US Postal Service US$3.2 million over the remaining four years of our contracts.

    "However, Alpine Air supports the integrity of the mail service standards that have been in place for decades, assuring customers a relevant and timely mail product. Therefore, Alpine Air cannot support the closing of these two US Postal facilities in Montana. There is no economic benefit to be gained by needlessly delaying mail delivery by at least a day for hundreds of thousands of Montana residents," he said.

(Source:http://www.shippingonline.cn/news/newsList.asp?classname=News)