Air transport of the British royal family and government

Last updated

The Royal Air Force's VIP Airbus A330 MRTT (RAF Voyager KC3), ZZ336, landing at RAF Brize Norton in 2020. Vespina.jpg
The Royal Air Force's VIP Airbus A330 MRTT (RAF Voyager KC3), ZZ336, landing at RAF Brize Norton in 2020.

Air transport of the British royal family and government is provided, depending on the circumstances and availability, by a variety of military and civilian operators. This includes an Airbus Voyager of the Royal Air Force (RAF), No. 10 Squadron, and the King's Helicopter Flight, which forms part of the royal household. Civil aircraft and scheduled commercial flights are also utilised. Historically, the aircraft for British royalty became known as the Queen's Flight or King's Flight.

Contents

History

An RAF Douglas Dakota C.III taking King George VI and his daughter Princess, later Queen, Elizabeth, to the Channel Islands in 1945 Dakota 24 Sqn RAF with King George VI in flight 1945.jpg
An RAF Douglas Dakota C.III taking King George VI and his daughter Princess, later Queen, Elizabeth, to the Channel Islands in 1945
The last surviving Airspeed Envoy, operated by Private Charter Ltd at Manchester (Ringway) Airport in 1948. Airspeed AS.6 Envoy G-AHAC Private Charter RWY 1948 edited-2.jpg
The last surviving Airspeed Envoy, operated by Private Charter Ltd at Manchester (Ringway) Airport in 1948.

Royal family

The first aircraft ordered specifically for transport of the royal family, two Westland Wapitis, were delivered to No. 24 Squadron at RAF Northolt in April 1928. Although the Royal Air Force maintained at least one of these aircraft for a time, the Prince of Wales eventually became solely responsible for the aircraft. When the Prince ascended to the throne in 1936 as Edward VIII, The King's Flight was formed as the world's first head of state aircraft unit. [1] This unit initially used the King's own de Havilland Dragon Rapide, commanded by the prince's personal pilot, Edward 'Mouse' Fielden, who continued to lead the flight before and after the war. [2] [3]

In May 1937, an AS.6J Envoy III replaced the Rapide. The King's Flight Envoy had seats for four passengers plus a pilot, wireless operator, and steward. When Nevil Shute Norway of Airspeed queried the need for a steward on flights of up to two or three hours, he was told by the Captain of the Flight, Wing Commander Fielden "of the fatigue that royal personages must endure...of radiant people who had opened a Town Hall and shaken a thousand hands...collapsing in a coma of fatigue directly the door was shut, grey faced and utterly exhausted". [4]

The outbreak of World War II in 1939 led to the replacement of the Envoy III with an armed Lockheed Hudson. A de Havilland Flamingo was added to The King's Flight in September 1940.

In 1942, The King's Flight was disbanded and its responsibilities transferred to No. 161 Squadron RAF, an operational military squadron, involved in the dropping of supplies and agents into occupied Europe throughout the War. [5] The King's Flight was reformed on 1 May 1946 at RAF Benson with a single aircraft, a de Havilland Dominie and, soon after, with four Vickers Viking C.2. [6]

As the Queen's Flight from 1952, the unit operated a variety of aircraft for the transport and pilot training of members of the royal family, including Vickers Viking, Avro York, de Havilland Heron and Devon, Westland Whirlwind, Westland Wessex HCC.4, Douglas Dakota (for the Royal Visit to Nepal in 1960), de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk, Beagle Basset, and Hawker Siddeley Andover aircraft.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip disembark from a British Airways Concorde at Bergstrom Air Force Base near Austin, Texas, on their state visit to the United States in 1991. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip disembark from a British Airways Concorde.jpg
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip disembark from a British Airways Concorde at Bergstrom Air Force Base near Austin, Texas, on their state visit to the United States in 1991.

On 2 November 1977, Queen Elizabeth II travelled for the first time aboard Concorde (aircraft G-BOAE). She then flew from the Grantley Adams International Airport, Barbados, to London Heathrow, England. That occasion was also the first visit by a Concorde aircraft to Barbados. [7]

In 1983, the Royal Air Force leased two BAe 146 aircraft to assess their suitability as replacements for The Queen's Flight's Andovers. [8] The trial was a success, and three VIP-configured BAe 146-100s entered service with The Queen's Flight (as BAe 146 CC.2s) from 1986 as the flight's first jet aircraft. In 2002, one of these BAe 146s was sold as surplus. These jets, also known as the BAe 146 Statesman, had a specially designed Royal Suite cabin. Although the civilian BAe 146-100 has 70-94 seats, the two BAe 146 CC.2 are configured for 19 or 26 passengers in comfort. [8]

The Royal Squadron

CC2 aircraft, delivered to The Queen's Flight in 1986 and later part of 32 (The Royal) Squadron. BAe146 aircraft from A Flight of 32 (The Royal) Squadron MOD 45147912.jpg
CC2 aircraft, delivered to The Queen's Flight in 1986 and later part of 32 (The Royal) Squadron.

On 1 April 1995, The Queen's Flight was merged into No. 32 Squadron RAF to become No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron. Its BAe 146s and two Westland Wessex HCC.4 helicopters moved from RAF Benson to 32 Squadron's base at RAF Northolt.

The responsibility for the royal family's travel was transferred to the Royal Household on 1 April 1997. Before then, it was shared by the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Transport, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The funding comes in the form of a royal travel grant-in-aid provided by the Department for Transport. Later in 1997, the Royal Yacht Britannia was retired and not replaced, and the Royal Household was given authorisation to acquire a helicopter for its private use.

The Royal Helicopter and the Royal Train are insufficient to meet all the travel requirements of the Royal Family, even for domestic travel. The King does not travel on scheduled flights, but other member of the Royal Family do whenever possible. Members of the Royal Family are normally flown on private charters, either large fixed-wing aircraft, small fixed-wing aircraft, or helicopters, depending on the distance and the size of the official party.

The squadron merger ended the RAF's provision of dedicated VIP transport aircraft; the aircraft of 32 Squadron are only available to VIP passengers if not needed for military operations. This was declared officially in 1999. [9] This policy reduced the charge per hour to the royal travel grant-in-aid for flying in an RAF jet radically.

BAe 146

Operated for The Queen's Flight since 1986, two of these aircraft remained available to No. 32 Squadron as short-haul VIP configured airliners. [10]

It was announced in the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 that Command Support Air Transport fleet aircraft would be replaced as they reached the end of their life to increase their operational utility and ensure continued effective transport for the royal family and senior ministers. [11]

In February 2022, Defence Equipment and Support (DES) announced that the four BAe 146 aircraft would be replaced by two Dassault Falcon 900LX aircraft. [12]

Other aircraft

Retired Whirlwind helicopter of the Royal Flight Westland Whirlwind HCC12 XR486 (G-RWWW) (6819149990).jpg
Retired Whirlwind helicopter of the Royal Flight

Other RAF aircraft have transported members of the royal family and ministers, particularly for long-range trips for which The King's Flight and Royal Squadron planes were unsuitable. This most often involved Vickers VC10 C.1s, XR807 and XV106, of No. 10 Squadron, later subsumed by No. 101 Squadron based at RAF Brize Norton.

Occasionally, the British Airways supersonic Concorde was used to transport the prime minister and royal family, particularly to international conferences abroad. that Queen Elizabeth II's first supersonic flight was on 2 November 1977 at the end of her silver jubilee.

Current aircraft

Most air travel by cabinet and junior ministers is on scheduled commercial flights. Travel on 32 Squadron aircraft is recommended where it is more cost-effective than using commercial air transport, or where security considerations dictate that special flights should be used. In 2016, the RAF VIP Voyager became the first dedicated VIP transport plane for government ministers and the Royal Family, after such plans had been proposed and shelved repeatedly since the 1990s.

The majority of non-scheduled travel for the Royal Family is provided by private charter, with Luxaviation UK being the exclusive supplier of private charters to the Royal Family since April 2009. [13]

Principal VIP aircraft

Airbus Voyager

Historically, only the royal family had dedicated aircraft; government ministers flew on commercial flights, rented private jets, or occasionally RAF-operated flights.[ citation needed ] Proposals to provide a new dedicated VIP transport aircraft, for governmental or royal use, were first mooted in 1998. [14] However, in March 2009 a proposal for a £7 million 12-seater private jet plans were halted by recession. [15] In November 2015, it was announced the government would fit VIP seating to one of the nine [16] core fleet of RAF Airbus Voyager tanker / transport aircraft for the use of senior government officials and members of the royal family. [17] The Voyager refit cost £10 million, and the government estimated the use of the aircraft would save £775,000 a year versus the cost of charter flights; the new arrangement was expected to cost around £2,000 per flying hour as opposed to £6,700 for long-haul charter. [18] The refit included a secure satellite communications system, missile detection, conference facilities, a changing room, 58 business class seats and 100 economy seats. [19] [20]

The aircraft, the RAF VIP Voyager, retained the standard Royal Air Force grey livery and continued its primary military duties when not in use by the government. [21] Its first use as a VIP transport was on 8 July 2016, when it was used to take government ministers from London Heathrow airport to the 2016 NATO conference in Warsaw, Poland.

In 2018 foreign secretary Boris Johnson criticised the arrangements, protesting that the Voyager "never seems to be available". He also remarked that the aircraft's "drab grey colours undermined Britain's reputation when the country needed a powerful 'flagship'" and suggested that provision of a dedicated government aircraft would be desirable '"if there's a way of doing it that is not exorbitantly expensive". [22] In June 2020, the aircraft was repainted in white with gold lettering with the Union Jack on its tail fin at a cost of £900,000. [23] [24]

Others

AgustaWestland AW109SP

A Royal Air Force AgustaWestland AW109SP helicopter is occasionally used by ministers. Based at RAF Northolt, the helicopter performs the Command Support Air Transport role for senior military commanders and government ministers. [25] [26] Depending on requirements, other RAF helicopters may be used.

Dassault 900LX

No. 32 Squadron RAF Dassault Envoy IV CC1. G-ZAHS, Envoy IV CC1 (Dassault Falcon 900LX) of 32 Sqn RAF at RAF Northolt, in its 'Global Britain' livery - 2022-12-06-1247-01.jpg
No. 32 Squadron RAF Dassault Envoy IV CC1.

In February 2022, Defence Equipment and Support announced that No. 32 Squadron would acquire two Dassault 900LX aircraft. [12] The first of these jets was delivered to RAF Northolt in May 2022. The RAF named the new aircraft type Envoy IV.

Both aircraft were used to take Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Liz Truss to Aberdeen Airport on 6 September 2022 as part of their journey to meet the queen at Balmoral Castle for Johnson to resign as and Truss to become prime minister. [27]

Airbus A321-2NX(LR)

Titan Airways Airbus A321-200 NEO registered G-XATW. Titan Airways Stansted 2.11.21.jpg
Titan Airways Airbus A321-200 NEO registered G-XATW.

In November 2020, the Cabinet Office signed a contract with Corporate Travel Management (North) Ltd for the exclusive lease of a VIP configured aircraft for the use of the prime minister, other ministers and VIPs. The contract was initially for two years (extendable to five years) with a potential total value of £75 million. The Cabinet Office had called for an aircraft with at least 30 and preferably 50 fully 'lie-flat' seats, meeting areas, high-speed Internet connection, and secure weapons storage. The aircraft was required be available within 12 hours' notice, be capable of carrying 30–50 passengers with 55 kilograms (121 pounds) of luggage each, at least from London to Washington (4,500 nm) in all weathers, and be available at all times while flying 50 hours per month. A 'key' aspect was that the aircraft be painted in the same Global Britain livery as the VIP Voyager. The travel management company sub-contracted Titan Airways to provide the actual service and an Airbus A321-200 NEO registered G-XATW entered service in early 2021. [28] [29] In April 2022 this aircraft was replaced with an identical A321Neo, registered G-GBNI, which operated on the same basis. [30] In November 2023 a new A321Neo was introduced to replace the latter aircraft, with the G-GBNI registration and livery being transferred to the new airframe (previously G-POWT) and the original G-GBNI becoming G-OATW. [31] [32] The new airframe has an upgraded cabin. [33]

Royal family

The King's Helicopter Flight

The Royal Household S-76C++ helicopter G-XXEB (8482970591).jpg
The Royal Household S-76C++ helicopter

The King's Helicopter Flight [34] (TKHF) is part of the King's Private Secretary's Department of the Royal Household, and is tasked by the Royal Travel Office at Buckingham Palace. Known as The Queen's, or King's, Helicopter Flight it is based at RAF Odiham [35] and operates two Sikorsky S-76C++ helicopters, with the registrations G-XXEB [36] and G-XXED. [37]

From 1998 to 2009, it used a single maroon Sikorsky S-76C+ twin-engined helicopter, registered G-XXEA [38] in honour of G-AEXX, the Airspeed Envoy that the Queen's uncle, the Prince of Wales, first flew in the King's Flight. [39] The helicopter, the first airframe dedicated solely to royal use, entered service on 21 December 1998. The S-76 is a commercial type widely used around the world, although the Kings's helicopter is fitted with only six seats for more comfort.

On 4 November 2009, Sikorsky announced the delivery of a new S-76C++ helicopter to The Queen's Helicopter Flight (TQHF). [40] This helicopter, registration G-XXEB, [41] is capable of a maximum speed of 178 miles per hour (286 kilometres per hour) and a ferry range of 400 miles (640 kilometres) with a 30-minute fuel reserve. An AgustaWestland AW109S, registration G-XXEC, was operated on long-term lease to TQHF from 2014 to 2019. [42] TQHF took ownership of a second Sikorsky S-76C, G-XXED, in 2019. [43]


Fleet overview

Current fleet

As of 2024:

AircraftQty.Year
introduced		OperatorRole Registration(s)
Sikorsky S-76C++ 22009The King's Helicopter Flight (TKHF)For Royal Family use.G-XXEB
G-XXED
AgustaWestland AW109SP 12016 No. 32 Squadron RAF [44] Transporting government ministers and senior military commanders.GZ100
Dassault Falcon 900LX (Envoy IV CC Mk1)22022 No. 32 Squadron RAF and Centreline AV Ltd [45] Transporting military and diplomatic personnel and members of the Royal Family.G-ZAHS
G-ZABH
Airbus A330 MRTT
(Vespina, RAF VIP Voyager)		12016 No. 10 Squadron RAF [46] International transport for government ministers and members of the Royal Family. [47] ZZ336
Airbus A321-253NX 12021 Titan Airways [48] [49] Transporting government ministers.G-GBNI [50]

Historical fleet

AircraftQty.Date
introduced		Date
retired		Notes
Westland Wapitis 219281933
de Havilland Dragon Rapide 119361937
Airspeed AS.6J Envoy III 119371939
Lockheed Hudson 119391942
de Havilland Flamingo 119401942
de Havilland Dominie 11946unknown
Vickers VC.1 Viking 41946unknown
de Havilland Heron 419551964
Hawker Siddeley Andovers CC.2319641986 & 1991 [51]
British Aerospace 125 619822015
British Aerospace 146 CC.2319832022
Westland Wessex HCC.4219691998 [52]
Sikorsky S-76C+ 119982009
AgustaWestland AW109E 320142019

Cost of royal travel

The cost of royal travel (not including cars) is dominated by royal air travel, but also includes trains and yacht charter. All costs for the previous financial year ending 31 March are documented every year in an Appendix to the Sovereign Grant Report detailing the expenses. [53] The report does not show individual flights but overall trip budgets, which may include pre-trip reconnaissance and other associated costs. Only trips in excess of £15,000 are detailed with trips under that amount being presented as a block total. In 2020, total travel costs of £2,825,633 for the year 2019-2020 were reported.

Cost of royal air travel (in £millions; year ends 31 March)
201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003
Fixed-wing (civil charter + scheduled flights)2.21.42.22.21.62.62.21.91.61.20.80.4
Fixed-wing (Royal Air Force)unknownunknown0.10.0220.20.40.40.40.80.70.50.5
Helicopters (includes fixed costs of helicopter lease and staff of 9 of TKHF), £1.6m fixed costs for TKHF1.51.62.42.42.12.32.22.22.22.12.32.1

The 1999 declaration that the principal purpose of 32 Squadron was to provide communications and logistical support to military operations reduced the charge per hour to the royal travel grant-in-aid for flying in an RAF jet, because now only the variable costs of the flight were expensed to the royal travel budget.[ citation needed ]

However, on 1 April 2010, the hourly rate for journeys by the Queen and Charles, Prince of Wales was increased dramatically from £1,138 for a BAe 125 and £1,846 for a BAe 146, to £9,997 and £13,086 respectively.[ citation needed ] No journeys were undertaken under these arrangements. On 1 December 2010, the rates were reduced (BAe 125: £4,000 and BAe 146: £5,000 per flying hour).[ citation needed ]

Under these higher prices, the royal family flew only twice on military jets in financial year 2010–2011.[ citation needed ] The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall flew the BAe 146 to Madrid and Lisbon in March 2011 (4 flight hours), and one non-itemised flight was taken on a BAe 125 (1 flight hour).[ citation needed ]

Criticism of royal air travel

Some criticism was aimed at expensive charters that were employed for visits of Charles, Prince of Wales, for trips that some believe were not critical to his role as British heir apparent. [54] Two of the most expensive charters were for visits to South America in March 2009 (£660,594) for a tour related to the Prince's ecological concerns, and a trip to Japan and Indonesia in October and November 2008 that cost £665,674. [55]

Between 12 and 16 June 2010, Charles and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall took a four-day short break to their home in Balmoral, Scotland. The charge to the government was £29,786 for a jet to fly them to Aberdeen and to return to London. [56]

Prince Charles's choice of chartering an Airbus A319 that seats 29 people for a tour in 2009 to raise environmental awareness was criticised for its carbon footprint. [57]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Air Force</span> Air and space warfare force of the United Kingdom

The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by merging the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). Following the Allied victory over the Central Powers in 1918, the RAF emerged as the largest air force in the world at the time. Since its formation, the RAF has played a significant role in British military history. In particular, during the Second World War, the RAF established air superiority over Hermann Göring's Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain, and led the Allied strategic bombing effort.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Mount Pleasant</span> British military airfield and support unit in the Falkland Islands

RAF Mount Pleasant is a Royal Air Force station in the British Overseas Territory of the Falkland Islands. The airfield goes by the motto of "Defend the right" and is part of the British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI). Home to between 1,000 and 2,000 British military personnel, it is about 33 miles (53 km) southwest of Stanley, the capital of the Falklands, on the island of East Falkland. The world's longest corridor, 2,600 feet (800 m) long, links the barracks, messes, and recreational and welfare areas of the station, and was nicknamed the "Death Star Corridor" by personnel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Westland Wessex</span> 1958 military helicopter family by Westland

The Westland Wessex is a British-built turbine-powered development of the Sikorsky H-34. It was developed and produced under licence by Westland Aircraft. One of the main changes from Sikorsky's H-34 was the replacement of the piston-engine powerplant with a turboshaft engine. Early models were powered by a single Napier Gazelle engine, while later builds used a pair of de Havilland Gnome engines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Westland Sea King</span> Military helicopter, 1969-present

The Westland WS-61 Sea King is a British licence-built version of the American Sikorsky S-61 helicopter of the same name, built by Westland Helicopters. The aircraft differs considerably from the American version, with Rolls-Royce Gnome engines, British-made anti-submarine warfare systems and a fully computerised flight control system. The Sea King was primarily designed for performing anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions. A Sea King variant known as the Commando was developed by Westland to serve as a troop transport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Benson</span> Royal Air Force main operating base in Oxfordshire, England

Royal Air Force Benson or RAF Benson is a Royal Air Force (RAF) station located at Benson, near Wallingford, in South Oxfordshire, England. It is a front-line station and home to the RAF's fleet of Westland Puma HC2 support helicopters, used primarily for the transportation of troops & equipment. Flying squadrons comprise No. 33 Squadron flying the Puma, No. 22 Squadron which provides operational evaluation and training for all aircraft in Joint Helicopter Command and No. 28 Squadron, which is the combined Puma and Boeing Chinook HC6A training unit. Other units include the Oxford University Air Squadron and No. 6 Air Experience Flight, both flying the Grob Tutor T1 light training aircraft used for student and cadet flying training. The National Police Air Service and the Thames Valley Air Ambulance are also based at the station, both operating Airbus H135 helicopters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AgustaWestland AW101</span> Multi-role helicopter family by AgustaWestland

The AgustaWestland AW101 is a medium-lift helicopter in military and civil use. First flown in 1987, it was developed by a joint venture between Westland Helicopters in the United Kingdom and Agusta in Italy in response to national requirements for a modern naval utility helicopter. Several operators, including the armed forces of Britain, Denmark, and Portugal, use the name Merlin for their AW101 aircraft. It is manufactured at factories in Yeovil, England, and Vergiate, Italy. Licensed assembly work has also taken place in Japan and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 10 Squadron RAF</span> Flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

Number 10 Squadron is a Royal Air Force squadron. The squadron has served in a variety of roles over its 90-year history. It currently flies the Airbus Voyager KC2/KC3 in the transport/tanker role from RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 32 Squadron RAF</span> Royal Air Force flying squadron

Number 32 Squadron Royal Air Force, also written XXXII Squadron Royal Air Force, sometimes abbreviated as No. 32 (TR) Squadron of the Royal Air Force (RAF). No.32 is a current flying squadron which operates in the VIP and general air transport roles. It is based at RAF Northolt in Greater London, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Valley</span> Royal Air Force training station in Isle of Anglesey, Wales

Royal Air Force Valley or more simply RAF Valley is a Royal Air Force station on the island of Anglesey, Wales, and which is also used as Anglesey Airport. It provides both basic and advanced fast-jet training using the Beechcraft Texan T.1 and BAE Systems Hawk T.2 and provides mountain and maritime training for aircrew using the Airbus Jupiter HT.1 helicopter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikorsky S-76</span> American medium-size commercial utility helicopter

The Sikorsky S-76 is a medium-size commercial utility helicopter designed and produced by the American helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft. It is the company's first helicopter specifically developed for the civilian market.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 202 Squadron RAF</span> Flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

No. 202 Squadron of the Royal Air Force is the maritime and mountains training element of the No.1 Flying Training School, operating the Airbus Helicopters H145 Jupiter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Titan Airways</span> British charter airline

Titan Airways Limited, incorporated in England and Wales under company registration number 02212225 on 20 January 1988, is a private limited company in the United Kingdom (UK), which operates a British charter airline known as Titan Airways, based at London Stansted Airport (STN). The carrier specialises in short-notice ACMI and wet lease operations, as well as ad-hoc passenger and cargo charter services to tour operators, corporations, governments, and the sports and entertainment sectors. The company holds a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Type A Operating Licence, permitting it to carry passengers, cargo and mail, on aircraft with 20 or more seats. Its headquarters and registered office is at Enterprise House, Bassingbourn Road, Stansted Airport, Stansted, Essex, CM24 1RN.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Flying School</span> British Royal Air Force pilot school

The Central Flying School (CFS) is the Royal Air Force's primary institution for the training of military flying instructors. Established in 1912 at the Upavon Aerodrome, it is the longest existing flying training school. The school was based at RAF Little Rissington from 1946 to 1976. Its motto is Imprimis Praecepta, Latin for "The Teaching is Everlasting".

Air transports for heads of state and government are, in many countries, provided by the air force in specially equipped airliners or business jets. One such aircraft in particular has become part of popular culture: Air Force One, used by the President of the United States and operated by the United States Air Force. Other well-known official aircraft include the Russian presidential aircraft, the British Royal Air Force VIP aircraft, the French Cotam 001, the Royal Canadian Air Force VIP aircraft, the German Konrad Adenauer, the Royal Australian Airforce VIP aircraft, the Japanese Air Force One, the South Korean Code One, the Indian Air India One, the Brazilian Air Force One, and the Israeli Wing of Zion.

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) maintains specialised aircraft to transport Canada's monarch and/or other members of the royal family, the governor general, prime minister, other senior members of the Government of Canada, and other dignitaries. A small fleet of dedicated executive government transport aircraft are organised into two RCAF squadrons. Other RCAF combat and transport helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, chartered civilian aircraft, and occasionally scheduled commercial flights may also be used to meet Canada's VIP air transport requirements.

The planning for the future of the Royal Air Force involves supporting ongoing British military operations, the introduction of new aircraft types including unmanned aerial vehicles, greater focus on network enabled capability and increasing interoperability with members of NATO, team tempest, and mixed crewed fighters. From the updated plans of the RAF (2021) state that the new initiative will focus on becoming carbon net-zero, with strategies such as using sustainable aviation fuels in aircraft. The RAF also are looking into investing in the maintenance of the aircraft to ensure success of future operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Search and Rescue Force</span> British helicopter organisation, 1941-2016

The Royal Air Force Search and Rescue Force was the Royal Air Force organisation which provided around-the-clock aeronautical search and rescue cover in the United Kingdom, Cyprus and the Falkland Islands, from 1986 until 2016.

AirTanker Services Limited, incorporated in England and Wales on 14 June 2007, is a private limited company in the United Kingdom (UK), which operates a British airline known as AirTanker, and is also an aircraft leasing and operating company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vespina (aircraft)</span> United Kingdom principal VIP aircraft, operated by the Royal Air Force

The Royal Air Force VIP Voyager, identified with the military aircraft registration ZZ336, and more recently named by the Royal Air Force (RAF) as Vespina since June 2020, refers to a customised RAF Voyager KC3 owned by the AirTanker Holdings Limited and operated under lease by the Royal Air Force that is the first principal VIP transport aeroplane for the British royal family, the Prime Minister, and British government ministers. Whilst the RAF operates the United Kingdom's fleet of fourteen Voyagers, a militarised multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) aircraft; ZZ336 Vespina, the VIP Voyager refers specifically to one individual Voyager KC3 aircraft now painted in a United Kingdom 'Global Britain' livery, and fitted with secure satellite communications system, missile detection, fifty-eight business-class seats, one hundred 'premium economy' standard seats, and media facilities, similar to other dedicated air transports of heads of state and government.

References

  1. ↑ Francillon, René (November 1999). "Fit for a King: Wings for Sovereigns, Presidents and Prime Ministers". Air International: 289–290.
  2. ↑ Babington Smith, Constance (23 September 2004). "Fielden, Sir Edward Hedley". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/31105.(Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  3. ↑ "Obituary: Sir Edward Fielden, flying the Royal Family" . The Times . 9 November 1976. p. 9. Gale   CS321355625.
  4. ↑ Norway, Neville Shute (1954). Slide Rule: Autobiography of an Engineer . London, England: William Heinemann. p. 242.
  5. ↑ "History of No. 161 Squadron". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence. Archived from the original on 11 July 2006. Retrieved 12 July 2006.
  6. ↑ Thetford (1988). Aircraft of the Royal Air Force (8th ed.). p. 649.
  7. ↑ The Royal Household. "The Queen and Barbados: Royal visits". The Official Website of the British Monarchy. Archived from the original on 20 April 2010. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
  8. 1 2 "Aircraft of the RAF: BAe 146". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 30 April 2009. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
  9. ↑ National Audit Office (22 June 2001). "Royal travel by air and rail" (PDF). The Stationery Office. p. 2.
  10. ↑ "BAE146 CCMK2 and CMK3". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force . Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  11. ↑ National Security Strategy Review 2015. RAF. p. 32.
  12. 1 2 Pearson, Colin (8 February 2022). "New aircraft to enhance UK's international presence". DES.MoD.uk. Defence Equipment & Support. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  13. ↑ "Luxaviation UK - online brochure" (PDF). LuxaviationUK.com. Luxaviation UK.
  14. ↑ "Blair flies into trouble". News.BBC.co.uk. BBC News. 3 August 1998.
  15. ↑ Jamieson, Alastair (28 March 2009). "Queen has £7m private jet plans halted by recession". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 31 March 2009. Retrieved 30 March 2010.
  16. ↑ A further five aircraft are contracted from AirTanker to be available when required
  17. ↑ "David Cameron and the government are getting a state-of-the-art 'Air Force One' for £10m". The Huffington Post . 19 November 2015.
  18. ↑ "David Cameron to take first flight on converted VIP RAF Voyager". BBC.co.uk. BBC News. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  19. ↑ "Brochure" (PDF). AirTanker Services.
  20. ↑ "SWS support the reconfigurations of two RAF tanker aircraft, one to an enhanced cabin and one to a commercial customer layout". SWS Aircraft Certifications.
  21. ↑ "The British attitude towards a prime ministerial jet". BBC.co.uk. BBC News. 19 November 2015.
  22. ↑ Merrick, Rob (23 May 2018). "Boris Johnson criticised after calling for his own 'Brexit plane' to build up trade after UK leaves EU" . The Independent . Archived from the original on 23 May 2018.
  23. ↑ Wilson, Sarah (18 June 2020). "Almost £1m of taxpayer money will be used to paint PM and Royal Family's RAF plane red, white and blue". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  24. ↑ Goldie, Baroness (29 June 2020). "Voyager aircraft, question for Ministry of Defence UIN HL5891, tabled on 18 June 2020". UK Parliament. The VIP Voyager aircraft's primary role remains Air-to-Air refuelling, and it remains available to meet a range of operational commitments. The aircraft is already used to fly senior Government Ministers and members of the Royal Family on official business. The new livery better reflects this prestigious task, however, if required, the aircraft can be returned quickly to a more traditional military livery, the costs for which are marginal and absorbed within the overall Voyager running costs.
  25. ↑ "Royal Air Force". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force . Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  26. ↑ "Sloane Helicopters: Contracts" . Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  27. ↑ Meier, Ricardo (6 September 2022). "Current and new UK Prime Minister meet the Queen in two new Envoy IV jets". Air Data News. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  28. ↑ Milmo, Cahal (4 August 2021). "Boris Johnson's £75m 'Brexit jet' provided by the same company running red list quarantine hotels". iNews. Archived from the original on 4 August 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  29. ↑ Allison, George (2 August 2021). "Government could pay £75m for exclusive use of charter aircraft". UK Defence Journal. Archived from the original on 2 August 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  30. ↑ "Airbus A321: registration". questions-statements.parliament.uk. UK Parliament. 19 April 2022.
  31. ↑ "Planespotters.net - G-GBNI history". planespotters.net.
  32. ↑ "Planespotters.net - G-OATW history". planespotters.net.
  33. ↑ "UK Government A321neo Titan Airways-Upgrade". simpleflying.co.uk. 22 January 2023.
  34. ↑ "The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Central London) Regulations 2022". Legislation.gov.uk. 9 September 2022. p. 2. Retrieved 10 September 2022. The King's Helicopter Flight
  35. ↑ Boyd, Alex (11 November 2020). "Retired squadron leader remembers harrowing helicopter crash at RAF Odiham, 50 years on". Basingstoke Gazette. Retrieved 8 September 2022. The Queen's Helicopter Flight, now based at RAF Odiham
  36. ↑ "Aircraft data G-XXEB, 2009 Sikorsky S-76C c/n 760753". Airport-Data.com. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  37. ↑ "Aircraft data G-XXED, 2007 Sikorsky S-76C c/n 760699". Airport-Data.com. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  38. ↑ "G-INFO record for G-XXEA". CAA.co.uk. Civil Aviation Authority.
  39. ↑ The Royal Household. "Air travel". The Official Website of the British Monarchy.
  40. ↑ "Sikorsky Aircraft delivers new VIP S-76C++ helicopter to U.K. Royal Household". Sikorsky. 4 November 2009. Archived from the original on 27 February 2012.
  41. ↑ "G-INFO record for G-XXEB". CAA.co.uk. Civil Aviation Authority.
  42. ↑ "'Heir Force One' - second helicopter for the Royal Family". Aerossurance. 21 June 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  43. ↑ "Aircraft data G-XXED, 2007 Sikorsky S-76C c/n 760699". Airport-Data.com. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
  44. ↑ "Royal Air Force - AW109SP". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force . Retrieved 9 September 2022. The Leonardo AW109SP GrandNew (A109SP) helicopter is operated by No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron.
  45. ↑ "Royal Air Force - Envoy IV CC Mk1". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force . Retrieved 9 September 2022. The RAF will fly the aircraft alongside pilots from our industry partner, Centreline AC Ltd
  46. ↑ "Voyager | Royal Air Force". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force . Retrieved 9 September 2022. Named Voyager in service, the A330 MRTT began RAF operations with 10 Sqn on May 12, 2012, flying an air transport sortie from its Brize Norton home base to RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus.
  47. ↑ "VIP RAF Voyager ready for global role". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force . Retrieved 9 September 2022. The RAF Voyager 'Vespina' has completed its refurbishment to provide a secure, cost-effective and suitably profiled transport for Government Ministers and the Royal Family. The aircraft now proudly displays the Union Flag alongside RAF markings and is ready to represent the UK across the globe.
  48. ↑ Ahlgren, Linnea (1 April 2021). "Titan Airways takes delivery of its second Airbus A321neo". Simple Flying. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  49. ↑ Bailey, Joanna (22 March 2021). "Brand new Titan Airbus A321neo repainted for UK Government". Simple Flying. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  50. ↑ "Live flight tracker - real-time flight tracker map". Flightradar24.com. Flightradar . Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  51. ↑ March 1992, p. 74.
  52. ↑ "Westland Wessex HCC4". RAF Museum. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  53. ↑ "Travel Appendix to Sovereign Grant Report" (PDF). Royal UK. 25 September 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  54. ↑ Murphy, Victoria (23 June 2015). "Royal family rack up £5m travel bill as Sovereign grant funding set to soar to nearly £43m". Mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  55. ↑ "The grant-in-aid for Royal Travel by air and rail" (PDF). Royal.uk. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  56. ↑ Brown, Jonathan (4 July 2011). "A travel bill fit for a Queen: Middle East flights cost £356,000" . The Independent. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  57. ↑ Schnayerson, Michael. "A funny thing happened on the way to the throne". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.