Written question asked by Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative) on Tuesday, 5 May 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 May 2009. It was answered by Caroline Flint (Labour) on Monday, 1 June 2009 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Departmental Air Travel

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidelines his Department has in place on air travel by its officials (a) in the UK, (b) between the UK and other countries and (c) overseas.

Answer: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) guidelines specify 'approved routes' (preferred routes and carriers) for journeys by air. These are considered to offer the most efficient, safe and economical journey to the destination. They form the basis for staff entitlements for official travel. The same guidelines apply to journeys within the UK, journeys between the UK and other countries and journeys between overseas countries.For duty travel staff fly in economy class on journeys of three hours or less. For journeys over three hours they may fly in business class.Carbon offset arrangements are made by the FCO for all air travel originating in London. The FCO also encourage staff booking journeys from overseas to consider making a voluntary payment to reduce the impact of emissions created by journeys at public expense.Where there is a choice about travelling by rail or air, we encourage budget holders to take a range of factors into account including value for money considerations.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 493 c223W; 273680
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Departmental Air Travel
Monday, 29 June 2009
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Aviation Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk