Deportation flights to Rwanda are anticipated to commence “within weeks,” announced Health Secretary Victoria Atkins, marking a significant step in the implementation of the deportation scheme.
The Home Office has affirmed its readiness to execute the plan, although specific details regarding the airline responsible for transporting illegal migrants to Kigali have yet to be disclosed.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has previously reiterated the commitment to launch removal flights by spring, refraining from specifying an exact date for the operation. Additionally, information regarding the airline tasked with facilitating the flagship policy has been withheld.
Health Secretary Ms Atkins emphasized the government’s eagerness to expedite the deportation process, stating, “We want them to take off as quickly as possible. We very much plan to have it within weeks.”
When pressed about the selection of an air carrier, Ms. Atkins reiterated the Home Office’s preparedness, affirming, “The Home Office is working on this, and so believe you me, the Home Office is ready to go.
The prospect of Rwanda’s state-owned airline participating in the deportation initiative was dismissed, reportedly declining the government’s offer to transport asylum seekers due to concerns over association with the policy.
Tory Party deputy chair Rachel Maclean expressed confidence that ministers would secure a carrier for the operation, emphasizing the necessity of the plan as a deterrent measure against illegal migration.
The Rwanda Bill, designed to address Supreme Court impediments to deportation flights, is set to return to Parliament, with ministers hopeful of its passage by the end of the week.
However, charities supporting asylum seekers are poised to challenge the scheme through legal avenues, signalling potential hurdles in its implementation.
A spokesperson for the Home Office reaffirmed the commitment to the spring timeline, emphasizing that once the Safety of Rwanda Bill and Treaty are ratified, deportation flights will proceed promptly.
The impending launch of deportation flights underscores the government’s steadfast efforts to address immigration challenges and uphold border security.
