Department for Transport: Aviation
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to Pakistan; 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 support the strengthening of aviation security standards with last points of departure to the UK. This engagement includes technical cooperation and in‑country visits where necessary to provide assurance, share best practice and support effective delivery at airports.
As part of the Aviation Safety Team’s responsibility to maintain the UK Air Safety List and ensure the safety of British Nationals travelling abroad, an official from DfT also oversaw an onsite assessment of Pakistan’s aviation safety system.
The visits to Pakistan were undertaken to support this ongoing aviation security and safety activity. While a significant proportion of DfT’s international aviation activity is conducted remotely, certain elements of technical engagement require presence on the ground, particularly where activity is focused on operational environments such as airports.
All aviation security visits were approved by a Deputy Director (Senior Civil Servant) in DfT’s Transport Security Division and aviation safety visits approved by a Deputy Director (Senior Civil Servant) in DfT’s Aviation Safety, Innovation and Skills division, in line with departmental policy.
27-31 January 2025 – DfT approved travel for a Grade 7 Policy Officer to oversee an onsite assessment related to management of the UK Air Safety List and Pakistan’s case for delisting. Total cost: £2,416.06
5th -11th May 2025– Involved two DfT approved third party trainers to deliver capability development training. Total cost: £3022.23
8th – 11th July 2025 - Involved two Senior Executive Officers (SEO) and one Executive Officer (EO) travelling to conduct one airport assessment for assurance purposes. Total cost: £1,875.83
As part of the planning process, consideration was given to whether the engagement could be conducted remotely or combined with other official travel. While some preparatory and follow‑up activity was undertaken virtually, aspects of the engagement required on‑site delivery at the airport and therefore could not be fully conducted remotely.
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