The UK used to charter commercial planes for state business, but as of 2015, a Royal Air Force Airbus A330 has been the prime minister's official plane. Post-acquisition, the jet reportedly underwent a $13 million (£10m) makeover, which included the addition of extra security and missile defence systems.

In 2020, then-PM Boris Johnson sparked controversy by spending $1 million (£785k) on a new paint job for the jet, switching it from grey to a more patriotic red, white, and blue colour scheme. He was also mocked for flying from London to the 2021 G7 event in Cornwall. Climate change was high on the summit's agenda, and critics pointed out that Johnson could have taken a train from the English capital to the southwest region.

Former prime minister Rishi Sunak also attracted his fair share of reproval, with stats showing he's taken more VIP flights around the UK than any of his predecessors. The BBC reported last year that Sunak took one flight every eight days during his first months in office, with certain trips proving particularly contentious...

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