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PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(13 May 2026)

Question Asked

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to Jordan; 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.

Asked by:
Rebecca Smith (Conservative)

Answer

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.

The visits to Jordan were undertaken to support this ongoing aviation security 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 in line with departmental policy.

  • September 2025 – In country co-ordinator (locally employed) returning to Jordan following engagement activity in Lebanon. Cost: £143.10

  • October 2025 – This was for three officials at Senior Executive Officer level and two DfT approved external training providers. Activity involved an airport assessment and the delivery of capability development training. Cost: £11,745.00

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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