Matt Brennan
Ceist:151 Mr. M. Brennan asked the Minister for Defence the cost of maintaining and operating the Government jets in 1996. [10851/97]
Written Answers. - Government Aircraft.
My Department follows the normal practice in the aviation business of costing aircraft by refernce 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 or (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 £1,200 per flying hour and a total cost of £4,000 per flying hour.
In 1996 the Gulfstream IV aircraft flew a total of 890 hours.