Vol. 479 No. 3
140 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Defence the number of flying hours recorded for ministerial air transport since December 1994; the cost and calculations of a flying hour; the additional costs, if any, which were incurred; and if he will list the Ministers and Ministers of State who have used ministerial air transport. [12999/97]
The Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) is provided by the Air Corps using a Gulfstream IV jet aircraft (Government Jet). A Beech Super Kingair 200 turboprop aircraft is also made available from time to time mainly to a limited number of destinations in Europe.
From 16 December 1994 to the end of April, 1997 the Gulfstream aircraft flew approximately 1,520 hours and the Beech Kingair flew approximately 710 hours in connection with the ministerial air transport service.
The method used by my Department for costing ministerial air transport relates to direct costs i.e. the costs which are additional to those associated with having the aircraft and which only arise when the aircraft is flown. The figures currently being used by the Department in respect of the relevant aircraft types are as follows:
|
Type |
Direct Cost |
|
£ |
|
|
Gulfstream IV |
1,320 |
|
Beech Kingair |
405 |
