The inaugural deportation charter of 2026, designed to send back individuals seeking refuge who arrived in the UK via dinghies has been cancelled, it has been learned.
Detainees earmarked for the government's 'one in, one out' initiative and who held boarding passes for a midweek departure were notified that their removal had been halted.
"I arrived on a vessel with around 80 individuals aboard," said one detainee whose removal was cancelled. "Ten of us were detained, while the other 70 were taken to hotels to have their claims processed here. That doesn't seem fair. I was delighted when our tickets were called off, but the guards would not provide a explanation. When I asked, they responded, 'we can't tell you why.'"
A First Cancellation for the Policy
This is believed to be the first instance a returns removal specially arranged plane has been cancelled, though it is not believed to be a result of court challenges.
Inmate Account Published Before Cancellation
The charter's cancellation follows the circulation of a report on Monday, prepared by around 80 detainees held in an detention facility near Heathrow airport.
The report outlines concerns that while the vast number of those arriving on small boats are having their asylum claims considered within the UK, a smaller group has been held and issued with removal directions. The men are said to view their confinement as "arbitrary and prejudicial."
The document states: "We are not considered criminals. We are individuals who escaped war, persecution, and hardship. We traveled to the UK with faith in fundamental freedoms, freedom, and protection. Instead, we are detained, separated, and silenced."
Financial Implications of Flight Scrapping
If a removal flight is called off at the last minute, the government may face compensation fees totaling tens of thousands of pounds to the aircraft provider. The specific arrangements for UK to France removal flights are not publicly known.
According to sources familiar with such deportations, the average cost for a one removal flight is around £250,000.
Previous figures published for 2022 indicated the mean expense was about £180,000, with costs varying based on the type of aircraft, destination, and other considerations.
Government Statement
A representative said: "As a matter of a longstanding government policy to refrain from commenting on operational matters."
