State Spends €2.88M on 10 Charter Deportation Flights Since February 2025

The State has spent €2.88 million on ten charter flights for deportations since February 2025, excluding VAT and Garda overtime. This averages €7,639 per person for 377 deportees. The most expensive flight to date was €735,000 to South Africa last Thursday, deporting 42 South African nationals (15 children, 18 women, 9 men).

Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan provided these figures, noting the previous costliest flight was also to South Africa for €585,075, deporting 63 people. A flight to Pakistan in September cost €473,000 for 24 deportees. Initial flights in February 2025 to Georgia cost €102,476 for 32 people, with two more flights to Georgia in May 2025 (€103,751) and November (€187,625).

Other destinations include Nigeria (€324,714), Romania (€69,475), and Poland/Lithuania on two occasions (€187,625 in November, €184,465 last month). Air Partner Ltd provides these services under a contract signed in November 2024, following a competitive process. The contract has a potential value of €5 million over a three-year term, extendable twice by one year, totaling five years.

Minister O'Callaghan stated charter flights are an alternative to commercial flights, suitable for group removals to the same destination, enhancing Garda Síochána's options. Costs vary based on passenger numbers, destination, and transit requirements. He noted 4,700 deportation orders were signed in 2025, a 96% increase from 2024, with 2,108 signed by June 5 this year. The Minister emphasized that a robust, rules-based immigration system requires effective enforcement, including deportations, though voluntary returns are preferred.