Abu Qatada Extradition Flight by Private Jet – at cost of £51,126
At 02:46hrs on Sunday 7th July an Embraer Legacy private jet departed RAF Northolt.
This was no ordinary private jet charter. On-board was radical cleric and terror suspect Abu Qatada, being deported from the UK back to his home country of Jordan – after more than 20 years away.
The cost of the extradition private jet charter hire would have been £51,126.
It is reported to have cost £1.7m to keep Abu Qatada since he was granted asylum in the UK in 1994.
The aircraft that flew Abu Qatada to Amman Jordan was an Embraer Legacy operated by a London-based private jet operator available on the PrivateFly network.
The Legacy is a 13 seat long range private jet capable of flying 3250nm.
PrivateFly’s corporate and leisure customers regularly charter this Legacy aircraft as one of the world’s most cost-effective private jets for longer range flights.
The UK government has chosen the most suitable and cost efficient aircraft for Abu Qatada’s extradition flight.
Legacy private jet stats
Crew: 2 pilots and a flight attendant
Seats: 13 passenger seats
On board washroom
Galley for hot and cold food
Full bar
Satellite telephone and data
Flight stats
Departed: London RAF Northolt (NHT) 02:46
Arrived: Marka Airport, Amman (ADJ) 09:46
Flight time: 5 hours
Altitude of Flight: 41,000ft
RAF Northolt normally close at 7pm on a Saturday, so the airbase was opened specially to allow this private jet flight to depart.
RAF Northolt is London’s premier private jet airport. It is home to 32 The Royal Squadron, that flies the Queen and the UK government.
Private jet customers can book flights to and from RAF Northolt by contacting PrivateFly on +44 (0) 1747 642 777.