The Royal Family are set to use commercial flights more regularly now the Royal Flight has been axed.
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The Royal Flight – provided by Britain’s Royal Air Force’s 32 (The Royal) Squadron for the royal family and senior British politicians including Prime Minister Gordon Brown – is being replaced by a small aeroplane which seats just 12 for financial and environmental reasons.
Jim Fitzpatrick, the Transport Minister, said royal members will either use chartered aeroplanes or fly with commercial airlines when they are travelling with parties to large for the smaller aircraft.
He told the Daily Telegraph: “I am recommending that the needs of the users of this service can best be met through procuring a small aircraft for official travel within the UK, chartered air services for longer journeys involving small parties, and a continuation of existing arrangements with UK airlines for journeys involving large parties.
“This approach ensures better value for money for the taxpayer whilst also minimising the environmental impact of royal and ministerial air travel, producing an estimated 10 per cent saving on carbon dioxide emissions.”
Charles – who is determined to reduce his carbon dioxide emissions – and his
wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall recently flew on a commercial flight to the Caribbean for their official state tour.
