Department for Transport: Aviation
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to Indonesia; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of each visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.
Answered by Simon Lightwood
The Department for Transport (DfT) works with international partners to contribute to safety, security and resilience, ensure international connectivity, and boost UK trade and investment. The official visits to Indonesia supported DfT’s ongoing international activity.
- One G7 official delivered a workshop at a regional seminar in February 2025 to support international partners in Southeast Asia in their response to maritime security risks. The G7 then delivered a second workshop to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Secretariat as part of the UK Government’s engagement with ASEAN on maritime issues. Total cost: £4,024. This was organised and paid for in conjunction with FCDO.
- One G6 and one Fast Streamer travelled to Indonesia for the annual UK-Indonesia Transport Working Group Meeting which took place in September 2025. The meeting alternates being held in the UK and Indonesia each year and fulfils commitments in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Transport Sector. The visit included rail site visits, which could not have been done virtually, and in-person meetings with Indonesian officials. Total cost: £2501.77.
- One G7 from DfT’s Centre for Transport Sanctions travelled to Indonesia as part of a UK delegation to discuss maritime sanctions and countering the shadow fleet with counterparts in Southeast Asia. In addition to engagements in Indonesia, the visit included engagements with counterparts in Malaysia and Singapore. The total cost of flights to and from the UK to SE Asia was £5,477.91. This was organised and paid for in conjunction with FCDO.
All visits were approved by a Senior Civil Servant in DfT, in line with departmental policy. Where possible, visits have been combined with other official travel.
As part of the planning process for each visit, consideration was given to whether the engagement could be conducted remotely. While some preparatory and follow up activity was undertaken virtually, it was not possible to conduct these visits fully remotely.
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