George VI International Mail
War Period
Air Mail
(Post 18)

(This article does not deal with air mail to Europe, Canada, or the United States. Please refer to earlier articles in this series.)


British international air mail rates during the war period are difficult to organize in a coherent manner since a wide range of rates were in effect, and more than one rate may have applied to the same destination depending upon the route requested and/or carrier.

The purpose of this article is to show representative air mail rates. Routes will be mentioned but will be topics for future articles. Since the Empire Air Mail Scheme was ended on September 3, 1939, imperial destinations are included in this article.

Argentina

October 5, 1939 - July 4, 1940
Via France

The air mail rate via France was 5/- per one-half ounce.


Rochdale to Buenos Aires, April 15, 1940
5/- rate to Argentina via France



Manchester to Buenos Aires, January 20, 1940
5/- rate to Argentina via France + 3 d. registration fee


August 7, 1940-August 23, 1944
Via USA

The air mail route via France was suspended due to the fall of France. Air mail service to Argentina was re-introduced via the United States.

a) Sea to New York then Air

The rate by sea to New York then by air was 2/3d. per one-half ounce.



Belfast to Buenos Aires, March 6, 1942
2/3d. rate (Sea to New York then air)

b) Air Throughout

The air mail rate for air throughout via the United States was 3/6d. per one half ounce.


Sheffield to Buenos Aires, October 5, 1944
3/6d. rate for air throughout via the United States



London to Buenos Aires, August 30 1941
3/6d. per one half ounce
7/- paying the one ounce rate for air throughout via the United States


Australia

September 3, 1939 - June 11, 1940
Air Throughout

The air mail letter rate to Australia was 1/3d.


England to Sydney, February 7, 1940
1/3d. air mail rate
Australian censor tape and handstamp



Barnsley to Adelaide, May 21, 1940
1/3d. air mail letter rate



London to Perth, January 29 1940
9/3d. paying the 3 1/2 ounce air mail rate (8/9d.) + 6d. express delivery fee




July 3, 1940 - December 12, 1941
Via USA by Transatlantic and Transpacific air services

The rate by Transatlantic and Transpacific air services was 4/6d. per one-half ounce.


London to Melbourne, July 21, 1941
4/6d. rate by transatlantic and transpacific air services
Forwarded by National Bank of Australia, August 19, 1941



London to Perth, May 1, 1941
4/6d. rate by transatlantic and transpacific air services
B.B.C. correspondence sealed with Press Censor tape


From July 3, 194o
By Sea to South Africa then by Air
The Horseshoe Route

After Italy entered World War II on June 10, 1940, mail could no longer be flown between Great Britain and Egypt via the Mediterranean. A new route known as "The Horseshoe Route" was introduced Mail was first transported by ship to Durban, South Africa, then flown to Australia.



Liverpool to Sydney, undated oval cancellation
Horseshoe Route air mail rate 1/3d. per one-half ounce
2/9d. paying 2/6d. for the double weight (1 ounce) rate + 3d. registration


Bahamas

From May 25, 1939
Air throughout via North Atlantic Service

The air mail rate was 1/8d. per one-half ounce for air throughout.


London to Nassau, February 12, 1943
1/8d. rate for air mail service throughout
Nassau receiver March 1, 1943


Belgian Congo

October 5, 1939-July 4, 1940 French Service

The air mail rate was 1/3d. per one-half ounce.


London to Gadstville (Jadotville), Katanga, December 11, 1939
1/3d. air mail rate

Carried by French airline Air Afrique to Brazzaville, French Middle Congo, then to Stanleyville, Belgian Congo by Sabena air lines.

• French Equatorial Africa censor handstamp
• Brazzaville transit December 24, 1939
• Leopoldville transit December 24, 1939
• Jadotville receiver December 28, 1939

From July 3, 1940
By Sea to South Africa then by air
Horseshoe Route

The rate was 1/3d. per one-half ounce.


London to Stanleyville, Belgian Congo, November 10, 1944
1/3d. sea to Durban then air rate
CENSURE CONGO BELGE handstamp
Stanleyville receiver December 14, 1944


British Guiana

From May 25, 1939 Air throughout via North Atlantic Service

The air mail rate was 2/9d. per one-half ounce for air throughout.


Nottingham to Georgetown, May 27, 1944
2/9d. rate air throughout
Georgetown receiver June 13, 1944




British Guiana censor tape


Bolivia

November 1933- April 30 1945
Surface to New York then air

The air mail rate was 2/3d. per one-half ounce.


Kensington to Tarija, December 1944
2/3d. rate for surface to New York then air to Bolivia
Shortpaid 1s. and taxed 192 centimes


T 192 centimes

British Due Calculation:
Amount shortpaid.....12d.
Double deficiency......24d.
1d. = 8 centimes
24d. = 24d. x 8 centimes/1d. = 192 centimes


Brazil

January 31, 1938- May 3, 1945
Surface to New York then air

The air mail rate was 2/3d. per one-half ounce for surface to New York then air.


Sheffield to Porto Alegre, August 10, 1942
2/3d. rate surface to New York then air
Porta Alegre receiver September 12, 1942


Brazilian censor handstamp


From May 31, 1939
Air Throughout via New York

The air mail rate was 3/6d. per one-half ounce for air throughout via New York. The post card rate was 1/7d.


Dulwich to Rio de Janeiro, January 14, 1940
3/6d. rate air throughout
Rio de Janeiro receiver February 8, 1940



London to Rio de Janeiro, APril 18, 1941
3/9d. paying 3/6d. air mail rate (air throughout) + 3d. registration fee



Waltham Corners to Rio de Janeiro, April 18, 1944
1/7d. post card rate air througout


October 4, 1939- July 3 1940
Air Throughout via France

The air mail rate was 4/6d. per one-half ounce for air throughout via France.


Bradford to Sao Paulo, November 21, 1939
4/6d. rate via France
Shortpaid 1/- and rated 240 centimes due. Brazillian 12000 reis paying the amount due


T 240 centimes

Dues Analysis




From May 4, 1945
Air Throughout via New York

The air mail rate was 2/6d. per one-half ounce for air throughout via New York. The post card rate was 1/3d.


London to Sao Paulo, August 1, 1945
2/6d. rate air throughout
Sao Paulo receiver August 14, 1945



Hammersmith to Sao Paulo, July 29, 1945
1/6d. paying 1/3d. post card rate for air throughout + 3d. registration fee


Brazil censor handstamp


Chile

October 5, 1939- July 4, 1940
Via France

The air mail rate via France was 5/- per one-half ounce.


St. John's Wood to Coquimbo, Chile, June 26, 1940
5/- rate via France
Santiago transit July 9, 1940
Coquimbo receiver July 11, 1940


From January 31, 1938
Surface to New York then Air

The air mail rate was 2/3d. per one-half ounce for surface to New York then air.


Herne Hill to Santiago, July 1, 1940
2/6d. paying 2/6d. surface to New York then air + 3d. registration fee
New York transit July 11, 1940
Santiago receiver July 16, 1940


China

April 1936 - June 12, 1940
Air Throughout

The air mail letter rate to China was 1/6d. per one-half ounce.


Uxbridge to Tsingtao, December 6, 1939
1/6d. air mail rate
Hong Kong transit December 20, 1939


Colombia

May 25, 1939 - April 30, 1945
Air Throughout via New York

The letter rate was 2/9d.
Post card rate 1/4d.


West Kensington to Bogota, March 22, 1941
1/4d. post card rate for air mail throughout

From May 1, 1945
Sea to New York then Air

The rate for sea to New York then air service was 1/3d. per one-half ounce.


Birmingham to Bogota, May 24, 1945
1/3d. rate for sea to New York then air
Bogota receiver June 21, 1945


Cuba

From May 25, 1939
Air Throughout via North Atlantic Air Service

The rate was 1/9d. for air throughout service to Cuba.


H.M. Ship to Havana, August 16, 1941 (date on censor handstamp)
2s. paying 1/9d. air mail rate + 3d. registration fee



Navy censor
August 16, 1941


New York transit August 23, 1941


Havana receiver August 25, 1941


Ecuador

January 31, 1938 - April 30, 1945 Sea to New York then Air

The air mail rate for sea to New York then air was 1/6d. per one-half ounce.


London to Guayaquil, June 29, 1942
1/6d. rate surface to New York then air


July 3, 1940 - April 30, 1945 Air Throughout via North Atlantic Air Service
The air mail rate was 2/9d. per one-half ounce for air service throughout via North Atlantic air service.


Nottingham to Quayaquil, March 18, 43
2/9d. rate air throughout


October 5, 1939 - July 4, 1940 Air Throughout via France
The air mail rate via France was 5/- per one-half ounce.


London to Guayaquil, October 14, 1939
5/- rate via France


Superscription


Egypt

From September 3, 1939

The air mail rate was 1/3d. per one-half ounce.


London to Alexandria, October 25, 1939
1/3d. air mail rate


French Cameroons

From July 3, 194o By Sea to South Africa then by Air
The Horseshoe Route

The air mail rate for surface to Durban then by air was 1/3d. per one-half ounce.



London to Ya-Onde, July 8, 1941
10 1/2 oz. letter
Rate = 10 1/2 oz. x 1/3d./1/2 ounce = 1/6/3d.


Cameroons censor handstamp


French Equatorial Africa
October 5, 1939 - July 2, 1939 Air Mail Throughout

The rate for air mail throughout was 1/3d.


Lanctonhouse to Gabon, June 13, 1940
1/3d. rate


French Equatorial Africa censor handstamp


Guatemala

From May 25, 1939
Air Throughout via North Atlantic Air Service

The rate was 2/- for air throughout service to Guatemala.


Ipswich to Guatemala
Received January 25, 1941
2/- rate for air throughout


Hong Kong

From July 3, 194o By Sea to South Africa then by Air
The Horseshoe Route

The air mail rate for surface to Durban then by air to Hong Kong was 1/3d. per one-half ounce.


Peterborough to Hong Kong, February 2, 1940
1/3d. Horseshoe route rate
Hong Kong cancellation March 9, 1940
Re-directed to England


India

From September 3, 1939

The air mail rate was 1/3d. per one-half ounce.


Bedford to Madras, September 13, 1939
1/3d. air mail rate
Madras receiver September 23, 1939



Braintree to Belgaum, December 12, 1939
1/3d. air mail rate
Belgaum receiver December 21, 1939


Belgaum censor handstamp


Paignton to Jubbulpore, January 9, 1940
1/3d. air mail rate
Insufficiently prepaid for air mail service and sent by surface mail
Handstamp : INSUFFICIENTLY PAID FOR TRANSMISSION BY AIR MAIL



London to Calcutta, February 6, 1940
5/- paying the 2 ounce letter rate
Calcutta receiver March 4, 1940



Worcester to Calcutta, June 5, 1940
1/3d. air mail rate
Calcutta receiver June 14, 1940

Air service to India was suspended from June 10 to July 2, 1940. The Horseshoe route service was introduced on July 3, 1940.


From July 3, 1940 By Sea to Durban then Air Horseshoe Route

The air mail rate for surface to Durban then by air to India was 1/3d. per one-half ounce.


London to Calcutta, July 25, 1940
1/3d. "Horseshoe Route" rate
Calcutta receiver, August 24, 1940



London to Madras, March 30, 1943
1/3d. Horseshoe Route rate
6/3d. paying the 2 1/2 ounce rate
Bible Society (B S) perfins


May 22, 1941- December 1941 Via Transatlantic and Transpacific Air Services

The air mail rate by North Atlantic and Transpacific air services was 5/- per one-half ounce.


Acton to Calcutta, June 5, 1941
5/- rate by transatlantic and transpacific air service
Calcutta receiver July 5, 1941


Iraq

From September 3, 1939

The air mail rate was 1/3d. per one-half ounce.


Cheshire to RAF Central Laboratory, Iraq, October 9 1939
1/3d. air mail letter rate
Baghdad and Habbaaniya backstamps, October 19, 1939


Jamaica

From May 25, 1939 Air Mail Throughout via North Atlantic Air Service

The air mail rate was 1/9d. per 1/2 ounce for air mail service throughout.


Birmingham to Kingston, May 19, 1941
1/9d. rate for air service throughout


Madagascar

From July 3, 1940 By Sea to Durban then Air Horseshoe Route

The air mail rate for surface to Durban then by air to Madagascar was 1/3d. per one-half ounce.



Yately to Tananarife, October 4, 1944
4/1d. paying 3/9d. air mail rate (1 1/2 ounce) + 3d. registration fee (1d. overpayment)

Mombassi transit November 7, 1944
Tananarife receiver November 29, 1844


Madagascar censor


Mexico

From January 1, 1938
Surface to New York then Air

The airmail rate was 9d. per one-half ounce for surface to New York then air to Mexico.


London to Mexico City, July 21, 1941
9d. air mail letter rate : surface to New York then air to Mexico
Mexico City receiver August 18, 1941


From May 25, 1939
Air Mail Throughout

The air mail rate was 2/- for air mail service throughout to Mexico.


Ruislip to Mexico City, March 2, 1943
2/- rate for air service throughout
Mexico City receiver March 31, 1943


New Zealand

From September 3, 1939

The air mail rate was 1/3d. per one-half ounce.


Swiss Legation London to Consulate of Switzerland, Wellington, December 8 1939
1/3d. air mail rate to New Zealand


Label from the Swiss Legation certifying that the envelope only contained official correspondence.



Bude to Wellington, August 4, 1945
1/3d. air mail letter rate
Air to Panama then by ship to New Zealand


Netherlands East Indies

From July 3, 1940 By Sea to Durban then Air Horseshoe Route

The air mail rate for surface to Durban then by air to the Netherlands East Indies was 1/3d. per one-half ounce.


London to Sumatra, November 9, 1941
1/3d. air mail rate
NO SERVICE
RETURN TO SENDER


The Japanese had invaded the Netherlands East Indies in December 1941. This letter was in transit at that time and was only returned in June, 1942. London cancellation, June 25, 1943.



London to Batavia, Java
December 6, 1941
1/6d. paying the 1/3d. air mail rate + 3d. registration

NO SERVICE
RETURN TO SENDER


Netherlands West Indies

From May 25, 1939
Air Throughout via North Atlantic Air Service

The air mail rate was 2/9d. for air mail service throughout.



Abingdow to San Nicolas, Aruba, July 23, 1941
Anglo American Oil Co. Ltd. ( A A O/ Co) perfins
2/9d. air mail letter rate
Curacao censor handstamp
Aruba receiver Augsust5, 1941



Newcastle to Curacao, August 14, 1941
2/9d. rate for air mail throughout
Shortpaid 1/3d. and taxed 240 centimes
Re-directed to Trinidad


British T 240 centimes
(1/3d. (15d.) x 8 centimes/1d.= 240 centimes)


Newfoundland

From May 25, 1939 North Atlantic Service

The air mail rate was 1/3d. per one-half ounce.


London to St. John's, July 22, 1943
1/3d. air mail rate
Guarantee Trust Company of New York (GT) perfins



Liverpool to St. John's, April 4, 1945
1/3d. air mail rate
Re-directed to Gape


Niger

Air Throughout To July 3, 1940

The air mail rate was 1/3d. per one-half ounce.


Manchester to Maradi, Niger, June 13, 1940
1/3d. air mail rate
French West Africa censor handstamp


Nigeria

From September 3, 1939

The air mail rate was 1/3d. per one-half ounce.


York to Lagos, September 25, 1939
1/3d. air mail rate
4/- paying 3/9d. (the 1 1/2 ounce rate) + 3d. registration fee


Palestine

From July 3, 1940 By Sea to Durban then Air Horseshoe Route

The air mail rate for surface to Durban then by air to India was 1/3d. per one-half ounce.


London to Tel-Aviv, May 13, 1942
1/3d. Horseshoe Route rate


Peru

July 3, 1940- April 30, 1944 Air Throughout via New York

The air mail letter rate was 2/9d. per one-half ounce for air throughout via New York.



Haywards Heath to Lima, July 15, 1941
3/- paying the 2/9d. air mail rate + 3d. registration fee



Stoke-on-Trent to Lima, October 30, 1941
2/9 air mail rate
Lima receiver December 12, 1941


St. Pierre et Miquelon

The Governor of St. Pierre and Miquelon remained loyal to the Vichy government of France after the armistice with Germany. Free French forces successfully invaded St. Pierre and Miquelon on December 24,1941.



Edinburgh to St. Pierre, August 23, 1943
1/6d. paying the 1/3d. air mail rate + 3d. registration fee
Moncton AMF transit August 31, 1943
St. Pierre receiver September 11, 1943
St. Pierre censor tape and handstamp


Straits Settlements

From July 3, 194o By Sea to South Africa then by Air
The Horseshoe Route

The air mail rate for surface to Durban then by air to the Straits Settlements was 1/3d. per one-half ounce.


Bolton to Perang, Straits Settlements, March 29, 1940
1/3d. air mail rate



India sealing label


Trinidad

From January 31, 1938
Surface to New York and then Air

The air mail rate was 9d. per 1/2 ounce for surface to New York then air service to Trinidad.


South Kensington to Pointe-a-Pierre, January 15, 1940
9d. surface then air rate
Port of Spain transit January 25, 1940


From May 25, 1939 Air Throughout
The air mail rate was 2/- for air service throughout.


London to Port of Spain, December 9, 1942
2/- rate for air throughout
Trinidad receiver January 9, 1943


Uruguay

October 5, 1939 - July 4, 1940 Via France

The air mail letter to Uruguay via France was 5/- per one-half ounce.


Oxted to Montevideo, April 9, 1940
5/- rate via France
Montevideo receiver April 17, 1949


From July 3, 1940

Two air mail services were available: a) Surface to New York then Air : 2/3d. per one-half ounce
b) Air throughout via New York : 3/6d. per one-half ounce



Ilford to Montevideo, March 1942
Insufficiently prepaid for transmission by air mail
Letter sent by surface mail


Venezuela

May 25, 1939-March 30 1945 Air Mail Throughout

The air mail letter rate to Venezuela was 2/9d. per one-half ounce.


Bomford to Venezuela, December 5, 1944
2/9d. air mail letter rate

Returned by Censor
POSTAGE REFUNDED handstamp