Summary UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has used RAF jets and helicopters for domestic travel more frequently than his predecessors.
In just seven months, Sunak took 23 domestic flights on RAF aircraft.
Sunak’s use of private jets has drawn backlash for its environmental impact, raising questions about his choice of transportation for domestic travel.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has utilized Royal Air Force (RAF) jets and helicopters for domestic travel more often than the three preceding prime ministers of the United Kingdom, according to a report by BBC.
Based on data from the UK Ministry of Defence, the report disclosed that Sunak took nearly one domestic flight per week during his initial seven months in office. Sunak boarded 23 domestic flights on these aircraft in 187 days. This contrasts with Boris Johnson’s 57 flights in 1,139 days, Theresa May’s 83 flights in 1,106 days, and Liz Truss’s four in 49 days.
Within the RAF division are two Dassault Falcon 900LX jets and a helicopter in service for domestic transportation for the Prime Minister and other ministers.
Facing backlash
Rishi Sunak has faced repeated criticism for frequently using private jets for domestic travel. Critics, including members of the parliament and climate change activists, have also pointed out the prime minister’s hypocrisy in taking short domestic flights, which contradicts his commitments to reduce carbon emissions that contribute to global warming.
In late July 2023, Sunak took a private jet from London to Scotland to announce funding for a carbon capture project, contradicting the government’s emission-cutting goals. Both legs of the 400-mile journey are estimated to have been responsible for over 6,000 kilograms of carbon emissions.
Photo: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street via Flickr
In comparison, the train journey between London King’s Cross and Aberdeen is projected to last slightly over seven hours, emitting around 28.32 kg of carbon per person each way, according to rail operator LNER. In response to criticism, Sunak told the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland program:
Collecting Miles: Rishi Sunak Has Flown More Frequently Than Other Recent UK Prime Ministers
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