British Foreign Minister David Cameron Under Fire For Renting Luxurious Embraer Lineage 1000 Plane for Business Trip in Central Asia: Is It Justifiable?

David Cameron, the British Foreign Minister, came under fire for renting a luxurious Embraer Lineage 1000 plane for his five-day business trip to Central Asia. The plane, estimated to cost 42 million pounds, was rented by Union Aviation company and offered amenities such as a separate relaxation area and a sommelier for selecting wines suitable for the flight.

Criticism of Cameron’s decision to rent the expensive plane was reported by several British newspapers including The Guardian and The Mirror. Emily Thornberry, a Labour MP, questioned the justification for spending taxpayers’ money on such luxury travel. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs defended the decision stating that it was made in the most efficient way possible to save time.

The purpose of Cameron’s trip was to promote opportunities for British companies in the region and announce funding of 50 million pounds to support regional governments’ sovereignty and independence. This is not the first time that the British government has faced scrutiny over high travel costs. Previously, details of Foreign Secretary David Cameron’s trip sparked controversy as he traveled on an expensive plane with his family despite being aware of public opinion regarding high travel expenses.