Royal Flight update

The Royal Flight, now part of RAF 32 Squadron, dates from the time of Edward Prince of Wales, a keen flyer, and as king the founder of the world’s first Royal Flight. At present, it consists of two BAe 146-100s, dating from 1986, with up to 26 seats, and a pair of 146-200s, acquired and converted to tactical freight and personnel transport use in 2012, subsequently seeing service in Afghanistan.

The Royal Flight from time to time charters in aircraft to suit a particular requirement. The 32 Squadron aircraft are also used as government and VIP transport.

According to Robert Lea writing in  The Times,  the Ministry of Defence is going through a “recapitalisation requirement review” of 32 Squadron which will involve new aircraft with a transatlantic capability. Contenders would include large business jets including those built by Bombardier, Embraer, Gulfstream and variants of the Airbus 320 series and Boeing Max.

A quickly-established favourite is the new Bombardier C Series, purely on merit, having the ability to fly as far as Washington from both London City and Northolt airports and with a wide cabin very similar to the 146s it will replace. It will also bring further work to Belfast.

Any purchase will go out to tender.

www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/32squadron.cfm

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