Richard Bruton
Question:97 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence the sums expended on the aircraft for Ministerial flights over the past three years; his plans for fleet replacement; and the costs involved. [27962/03]
Written Answers. - Ministerial Transport.
The Ministerial Air Transport Service, MATS, is primarily provided by the Air Corps using a Gulfstream IV aircraft which can carry up to 14 passengers. A Beech Super King Air turboprop aircraft, which was purchased in 1980, is also made available in support of the service, on a limited basis. From time to time, when the MATS aircraft were not available, the CASA aircraft and Air Corps helicopters have been used. However, such situations arise very infrequently.
The total cost of the GIV, including the cost of lease payments during the period December 1991 to December 2001 amounted to €44.06 million, inclusive of VAT. The cost of the Beech Super King Air, when purchased in 1980, was approximately €1 million.
My Department follows the normal practice in the aviation business of costing aircraft by reference to the cost per flying hour under either of two headings, (a) the direct cost, i.e. the costs which are additional to those associated with having the aircraft and which only arise when the aircraft is flown including maintenance, fuel and support services and (b) the total cost, i.e. the direct cost plus the costs associated with having the aircraft. The figures currently being used by my Department in respect of the Gulfstream IV are a direct cost of €2,500 per flying hour and a total cost of €5,550 per flying hour. The figures currently used for the Beech Super King Air are a direct cost of €900 per flying hour and a total cost of €1,400 per flying hour, while for the CASA a direct cost of €1,000 and a total cost of €2,400 are the appropriate figures. The cost for helicopters, Dauphins, are €1700 (direct) and €2800 (total).
The approximate Ministerial flying hours for the GIV and other Air Corps aircraft between 1 January 2001 and 30 September 2003 are as follows:
|
Aircraft |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
|
hours |
hours |
hours |
|
|
GIV |
510 |
336 |
366 |
|
Beech Aircraft |
31 |
20 |
57 |
|
Casa |
39 |
10 |
9 |
|
Helicopters |
56 |
17 |
8 |
The operational cost of these aircraft over the three years is therefore calculated as follows:
|
Hours |
Direct Cost |
Total Cost |
|
|
€m |
€m |
||
|
GIV |
1,212 |
3.03 |
6.72 |
|
Beech |
108 |
0.10 |
0.15 |
|
Casa |
58 |
0.06 |
0.14 |
|
Helicopters |
81 |
0.14 |
0.23 |
Air taxis have also been chartered where the GIV was unavailable (either for maintenance or on other Ministerial flights). The cost expended on air taxis over the last three years is as follows:
|
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
1,614,714.92 |
651,396.00 |
211,550 |
A contract has been signed with Bombardier Aerospace for the purchase of a Bombardier Learjet 45 light business jet for the ministerial air transport service. The cost of the aircraft, including training and spares, is €8.4 million, excluding VAT. The Learjet will replace the Beech Super King Air aircraft in the MATS role. Delivery of the Learjet 45 is scheduled for December 2003.