Deportation flights cost the government an average of £175,000 each last year, according to figures obtained by Sky News.

The figures come as the government prepares to send a plane carrying just a handful of migrants to Rwanda under a controversial new scheme that has been beset by legal challenges.

Home Office data obtained via a Freedom of Information request show that 1,305 people were deported in 2021, up from 828 in 2020 and 410 in 2019.

Politics Hub: Lawyers fighting Rwanda deportations are helping criminals, says PM

More than £11.3m was spent on these 65 deportation flights.

Reports have suggested that the first Rwanda flight – which has been subject to legal challenges – will cost around £500,000.

The deportation data, showing that 65 flights last year cost £11,370,678.06 in total, suggests each flight cost approximately £175,000, working out at £8,713 per person.

Rwanda deportations: Plane ready on Ministry of Defence runway ahead of flight to Africa as more legal challenges rejected

Rwanda deportations: Seven asylum seekers understood to be on tonight’s flight as Liz Truss insists flights will go ahead

Rwanda deportations: ‘Why must I go?’ – Channel migrants ‘nervous and unhappy’ ahead of flight

But more than half of those were to European nations – with Albania (497), Romania (324), Poland (183) and Lithuania (172) seeing the highest number of returns.

There were just four flights to Africa, with Zimbabwe (2), Nigeria (1) and Ghana (1) the only countries on the continent receiving deportees from the UK.

That might suggest the Rwanda flight, covering a greater distance than most of those flown last year, will cost somewhat more than the £175,000 average.

Last year saw an average number of 20 people on each plane, with some flights taking off with just four on board.

One flight to Jamaica in November 2021 saw numerous legal challenges, with 13 made within 24 hours of departure.

The flights covered by the latest data relate to “people who have no right to be in the UK” – including foreign national offenders as well as immigration offenders.

The flight under the new Rwanda scheme is different – it is for asylum seekers who have risked their lives to flee to Britain and have yet to have their claims processed.

Related posts:

‘If you get the call, get the jab’: Health secretary says Oxford-AstraZeneca jab is safe UK can’t ‘write countries off’ for trade links despite human rights concerns, says minister More than 75% of UK adults are now fully vaccinated, government says ‘This party is not going to be investigated by the police in a year’s time’: Rees-Mogg jokes about No 10 party From ‘plebgate’ to ‘partygate’: Who is Sue Gray – and does she have the power to bring Boris Johnson down? Self-isolation period in England cut from seven days to five, Javid announces Renewed calls for PM to resign after reports No 10 staff partied on eve of Philip’s funeral ‘Forging a new partnership’: UK and Australia agree £25m security package FA ‘working with the government’ to let Chelsea fans attend cup semi-final despite sanctions Who is Rishi Sunak’s wife Akshata Murty – and why are her family so wealthy? Dover crossing delays ‘mean that British hauliers lose £800 per lorry’ as products go off Brussels ‘unreasonable’ over Northern Ireland post-Brexit trade rules, says business secretary