Buckingham Palace Breaks Silence After Public Slams Royals For Logging 58,000 Helicopter Miles
The royal family’s new fleet clocked up the equivalent of two trips around the world in just 9 months.
Buckingham Palace has moved to defend the royal family's travel practices after renewed scrutiny over its helicopter use. As per recent reports, the monarchy's new fleet covered the equivalent of two trips around the world in just nine months. The pair of royal AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters has covered approximately 58,000 miles since entering service earlier in 2025, prompting questions about environmental impact and value for money despite assurances about efficiency and sustainability.
In response, Buckingham Palace issued a rare statement emphasizing the operational necessity of helicopter travel. A palace spokesperson said, "Helicopters are a key component of the royal travel plan due to their unique capability to access remote regions of the UK, which are not otherwise readily served by other modes of transport. They also allow members of the royal family to undertake multiple engagements in a given day."
The flight records obtained by GB News reveal that the helicopters logged 420 flying hours between February 25 and the end of November last year. It operated on at least 142 of the 279 days during that time. Over nine months, the aircraft completed nearly 340 separate trips. It included journeys involving stops longer than an hour counted individually. The helicopters are leased replacements for two Sikorsky aircraft that had been in service for 15 years, following the royal family's announcement in June 2024 that they intended to maximize their use.
Data reveals that Princess Anne was the most frequent passenger. She had 68 recorded stops at her Gatcombe Park residence. Her reputation for being the hardest-working royal is reflected in her heavy schedule of public engagements. Prince William was also a regular user and made 47 stops at Windsor and five at Forest Lodge, i.e., his and Kate Middleton’s new forever home that the family moved to in October 2025. Records show his use ranged from engagements such as attending a referee training course in Walsall and a women’s rugby match in Exeter, to visits with England’s women's football team in Staffordshire.
Despite widespread criticism, the royal household has defended the extensive use of choppers. It has emphasized sustainability measures and operational necessity. The AW139s operate using up to a 50 percent blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), the maximum industry standard. Officials claim it reduces reliance on more expensive fixed-wing aircraft. The chief executive of the British Helicopter Association has revealed that King Charles was 'leading by example' on greener aviation, adding that the royal flight 'actively seeks out' airports able to supply SAF despite higher costs.
The Sovereign Grant funds royal travel, and it rose to about $167 million for 2025–26. Last year, it was approximately $109 million. As per the latest report from June 2025, 141 helicopter journeys cost around $603,000, with only four trips exceeding $21,500. A royal aide also defended the scale of helicopter use and stressed the increase in mileage reflects efficiency rather than excess: “If you’re going to make an investment of that magnitude, then you need to sweat the asset.”
