The first scheduled flight of 2026 to return asylum seekers who arrived in the UK on small boats to France has been cancelled, the Guardian has learned. The charter flight, part of the government's controversial "one in, one out" scheme, was due to depart on Wednesday morning.
Detainees Told of Last-Minute Cancellation
Detainees held at the Harmondsworth immigration removal centre near Heathrow Airport, who had been issued tickets for the flight to Paris, were informed that their travel had been called off. One man affected by the cancellation described the selection process as unfair. "I came on a boat with 80 people onboard. Ten of us were detained and 70 were taken to hotels because their asylum claims will be processed here," he said. He added that staff at the centre did not provide a reason for the sudden change.
This is believed to be the first cancellation of a Home Office deportation charter flight to Paris under the "one in, one out" policy. Sources indicate the decision was not the result of a legal challenge.
Detainees Report Highlights 'Arbitrary' Detention
The flight's cancellation follows the circulation of a report compiled by 80 detainees held under the same scheme at Harmondsworth. The document, prepared in anticipation of forced removal to France, raises significant concerns about the policy's implementation.
The report argues that while the majority of those who cross the Channel on small boats have their asylum claims processed within the UK, a minority are detained and slated for removal. The men stated they consider their detention to be "arbitrary and discriminatory." They wrote: "We are not criminals. We are people who fled war, persecution, and injustice. We came to the UK believing in human rights, freedom, and protection. Instead, we are detained, isolated, and silenced."
Financial and Operational Implications
The last-minute cancellation of a deportation charter flight can carry heavy financial penalties. If the Home Office cancels shortly before departure, it may be liable to pay tens of thousands of pounds in compensation to the aircraft leasing company. The specific contractual arrangements for UK-France deportation charters are not publicly known.
However, the costs involved are substantial. Sources familiar with Home Office operations state that the average cost of one deportation charter flight is approximately £250,000. This figure is consistent with Freedom of Information data from 2022, which showed an average cost of £180,000 per flight, with variations based on aircraft type and destination.
When approached for comment, a Home Office spokesperson maintained its standard position, stating: "It's a longstanding government policy to not comment on operational matters."
