RAF jets used for tourist flights

Three RAF aircraft are being used by charter airlines to fly holidaymakers to tourist resorts.

The Voyager aircraft are being rented out to Thomas Cook and Jet2 because the Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not currently have an operational use for them.

The planes were among 14 modified Airbus A330 aircraft leased by the MOD under a controversial PFI deal that costs £10.5billion over 30 years.

The disclosure that the planes have been converted for use as holiday jets will add to MOD embarrassment over the 2008 deal.

The MOD defended the use of Voyagers on holiday routes, saying: “This reduces our costs and means they can be ready for operations quicker than if they were held in storage.”