Written question asked by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton (Conservative) on Wednesday, 31 January 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 5 February 2007. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Monday, 19 February 2007 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Christmas Travel

Question: (2) if he will provide a break down of the flights between Afghanistan and the UK that were on time or delayed by less than three hours into those that were (a) on time and (b) delayed less than three hours.

Answer: [holding answer 5 February 2007]: All performance statistics relating to the Afghanistan air-bridge are collated and monitored in terms of ‘arrival’, rather than ‘departure’, times as this best reflects the service being provided to passengers. Any RAF transport flight that is rescheduled at any stage within 24 hours of its planned departure time is considered as a delay, but only if that delay is greater than one hour.Of the 75 per cent. of flights from the UK to Afghanistan that were on time or delayed by less than three hours, 69 per cent. were on time and 31 per cent. were delayed less than three hours.For the return leg, of the 66 per cent. of flights from Afghanistan to the UK that were on time or delayed by less than three hours, 76 per cent. were on time and 24 per cent. were delayed less than three hours.A flight is deemed to be on time if it is delayed by less than one hour.

Secondary information