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Written question asked by Richard Holden (Conservative) on Friday, 19 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 23 June 2026. It was answered by Keir Mather (Labour) on Wednesday, 8 July 2026 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Aviation: Safety

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many capacity building visits officials from her Department have undertaken to States on the UK Air Safety List since 4 July 2024; on which dates those visits took place; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials attended each visit; at what grade; and what the cost was of each visit.

Answer

Since 4 July 2024, officials from the Department for Transport have undertaken four missions to assess and support States on the Air Safety List.

The visits have taken place between January 2025 and June 2026, with one official on each visit at a range of grades from SEO to Grade 6, and a total overall flight cost of £13,490.

These visits were all approved by the Deputy Director of Aviation Safety, Innovation and Skills at the Department for Transport.

The Department is responsible for ensuring the safety of British Nationals abroad through our international risk governance structures, including the UK Air Safety List. The UK Air Safety List comprises of states and airlines which, to the best of the UK’s knowledge, have failed to demonstrate that they meet relevant international safety standards and are therefore banned from operating into, out of or within the UK.

We have a legal obligation to provide support to States on the UK Air Safety List. This support is provided through various means, including undertaking capacity building visits and virtual assessments to enable listed States to enhance aviation safety standards and reduce risk to travelling British Nationals.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
11459
Session
2026-27
Related items
Department for Transport: Written Questions
Friday, 10 July 2026
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Aviation Costs Visits abroad Safety
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk