Questions raised over €2.88m cost of air deportation charters

Ireland’s State has spent €2.88 million excluding VAT on ten charter deportation flights since February 2025, raising questions about the cost of removals. The most expensive flight to date departed on Thursday to South Africa at a reported cost of €735,000, carrying 42 people. In total, 377 individuals have been deported through these charter operations. Air Partner Ltd, headquartered in Gatwick, secured the contract via competitive procurement in November 2024, and the contract can be worth up to €5 million over as many as five years. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said the contract provides an alternative to commercial flights and can be more appropriate when groups are removed to the same destination. Department data show deportation orders signed in 2025 reached 4,700, a 96% rise on 2024, and the state reported average costs of €7,639 per deportee across 377 people.