Soldiers' flights home 'delayed'

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More than a quarter of RAF transport aircraft bringing troops back from Afghanistan are routinely out of action, the BBC has learned.

Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act also showed one in 10 flights home was delayed by more than six hours in the year from April 2007.

Army families complain the hold-ups are having a serious effect on morale.

The Ministry of Defence says it takes the problem very seriously and has made significant improvements.

There are more than 7,000 UK military personnel based in Afghanistan.

Mechanical faults

The RAF moves troops to and from the UK mainly using Tristar jets, some of which are 30 years old.

The figures showed 27% of the fleet was regularly out of action between April 2007 and March 2008.

They also revealed 14% of flights into Britain were delayed by more than six hours due to a mix of mechanical faults and operational requirements.

You expect them Monday morning, and Tuesday and Wednesday come, and they're not back Julie McCarthy, chief executive of the Army Families Federation

The Army Families Federation says delays, some of which can last several days, are having a serious effect on morale.

"You're expecting your loved one home after possibly five months away," says Julie McCarthy, chief executive of the AFF.

"You expect them Monday morning, and Tuesday and Wednesday come, and they're not back. "People get perhaps 10 days rest and recuperation… if their flight's delayed for three days, they don't get that back."

'Breaking the news'

One army wife, who wanted to remain anonymous, told the BBC: "One of my husband's flights home was delayed by several days and his journey into theatre recently took more than 48 hours in total.

"With the trips home it is just me that has to break the disappointing news to excited children waiting to see their daddy.

"These service people are training up to do their job in hot, difficult and lest we forget, dangerous conditions.

Tristars are to be replaced from 2011 by the Airbus A330-200

"Long and drawn-out journeys….can only result in them arriving already fatigued and disheartened."

The MoD says it takes the issue very seriously and has significantly improved the service.

A MoD spokesman said: "More than 92% of all aircraft from Iraq and Afghanistan now arrive within six hours of their scheduled time.

"Of course, 100% punctuality would be desirable but this is not like operating a civilian charter.

"The RAF flies into areas where the threat from attack is very real. We are immensely proud of the RAF crews, ground handlers and engineers who make this considerable achievement possible."

The Tristars are expected to stay in service until at least 2011.

They will be gradually replaced by Airbus A330-200 aircraft which are being introduced by the RAF as part of a 27-year PFI deal at a cost of £13bn.