Private charter flight for Estonian Ambassador (FOI)

Request

On 30 November 2016 it was reported in the press that Senator Ozouf had authorised expenditure of around £4,000 for a private charter flight to the UK to transport the Estonian Ambassador.

A

What were the exact costs of the flight?

B

Who funded the flight?

C

How much of the cost has been recovered from private members of the digital industry?

D

How many people were on the flight (excluding pilots and cabin staff)?

E

Were any of the passengers States members or Jersey civil servants?

F

If the answer to question five is 'yes' then who were they?

G

What factors were used in deciding to charter this flight instead of waiting for the next scheduled flight?

Response

In order of the requests raised, we respond as follows:

A

The actual cost of the flight was £4,050.

B

The flight was charged to States of Jersey.

C

As at the date of this response, the States of Jersey has not recovered any money from private members of the digital industry for the flight.

D

Four people were on the flight excluding aircrew.

E

No States of Jersey members of civil servants travelled on the flight.

F

Not applicable.

G

A number of factors were considered including:

• the importance of continuing positive relations between Jersey and Estonia

• estimated departure time for the re-scheduled flight that the Ambassador and his party were originally booked on

• availability on alternative scheduled flights to London Gatwick and London City

• the programme of meetings that the Ambassador and his delegation were committed to in London

• cost to the States of Jersey and therefore to the taxpayers of Jersey; and

• achieving the lowest possible cost for a private charter including exploration of several flight options and negotiation with the provider