Written question asked by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton (Conservative) on Monday, 18 December 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 January 2007. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Monday, 8 January 2007 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Christmas Travel

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence further to the letter of 2 October 2006 to Wing Commander Conway from the hon. Member for North East Milton Keynes, what improvements have been made to the air bridge from (a) Afghanistan and (b) Iraq to avoid delays for troops travelling home over the Christmas period.

Answer: The safe and expeditious recovery of our Forces returning from operational Theatres is a high priority. Troop movement is generally working well and between April and December 2006, 80 per cent. of RAF operational passenger air transport flights were on time or delayed by less than three hours. For Iraq this figure was 86 per cent. and for Afghanistan was 75 per cent. Recent improvements to the Afghanistan air-bridge include refurbishment of the runway at Kandahar Airfield, which was completed in November 2006. This now allows troops to fly from an airport closer to the majority of deployed locations, reducing in-Theatre journeys by up to 24 hours.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 455 c323W;455 c321W; 112802
Session: 2006-07
Related items: Christmas Travel
Monday, 19 February 2007
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Armed forces Leave
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk07011029000017