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Department for Transport: Aviation

Answer

The Department for Transport (DfT) works with international partners to support and strengthen aviation security standards at last points of departure to the UK. This includes technical cooperation and, where necessary, in‑country activity to provide assurance and support effective delivery at airports. DfT has also acted to build and enhance international maritime security capacity by working collaboratively with partner states to improve compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, thereby reducing risk to the UK’s supply chains, energy routes, and the UK‑registered (REG) fleet.

Where possible, visits were combined with other engagements to minimise costs and reduce the need for multiple journeys. Where this was not possible, the officials concerned had no other concurrent business in Nigeria that could reasonably be combined.

All visits were approved by a Deputy Director (Senior Civil Servant) in DfT’s Transport Security Division in line with departmental policy.

• March 2025 – Three women from the Nigerian Designated Authority were invited to an event held in Tanzania as guest speakers. The flights are for their return back to Nigeria. This was paid for from the Integrated Security Fund (ISF) budget. The ISF is a cross-government Fund dedicated to tackling the highest priority threats to UK national security, both at home and overseas. Budget was allocated to the Port Security Strategic Training and Programme with the objective of reducing the risk of terrorism to British interests and nationals through raising port security standards globally. The total cost of their visit to Tanzania was £3414.29.
• May 2025 – This was for the delivery of aviation security capability development training by 2 external providers. Total cost: £6272.26.
• June 2025 – This was for the delivery of aviation security capability development training by 2 external providers in Lagos. Total cost: £5322.26.
• June 2025 – This was for the delivery of aviation security capability development training by 2 external providers in Abuja. Total cost: £4247.86.
• July 2025 – Two officials (all Senior Executive Officers) travelled to Nigeria to conduct an airport assessment. Total cost: £3787.04.
• September 2025 (early) – Two officials (all Senior Executive Officers) travelled to Nigeria to deliver in‑person aviation security training. Total cost: £7,313.84.
• September 2025 (late) – This visit was an inward visit to the UK undertaken as part of aviation security capability development activity. The training and capability development activities were funded through the Integrated Security Fund (ISF), which is a cross-Government Fund. Total cost: £1,856.50.

As part of the planning process, consideration was given to whether the engagement could be conducted remotely or combined with other official travel. While some preparatory and follow up activity was undertaken virtually, aspects of the engagement required on site delivery and therefore could not be fully conducted remotely.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

1280

Session

2026-27

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Subjects

Aviation Department for Transport Nigeria

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk