What its position is on its (a) ministers and (b) officials using (i) air travel (ii) private air travel for official business.

Ministers and Officials follow the Scottish Government’s travel policies when travelling on official business. The policy for air travel is outlined below. Section 5 of the policy relates to private air travel.
Travelling by air
- Colleagues can book flights for long distances, but should choose greener forms of transport, for example bus or rail, for shorter journeys.
Things to consider before booking flights
- Before booking flights you should be aware that:mainland UK flights need to be approved at director leveleconomy class should be used for journeys of 10 hours or lessbusiness class is only permitted if the flying time on a specific flight is more than 10 hours one-way, unless otherwise agreedalways try to book well ahead of the planned trip to enable the travel agent to find competitively-priced tickets
To maximise negotiated fares/services available to the SG all official air travel must be booked through the SG’s Travel Agent. This should include travel required in emergencies as the SG’s Travel Agent operates an out of hours service.
1. Class of Travel -The class of air travel is governed by the airline’s fare structures on the various routes, the level of the officer travelling, and the duration of the flight. The following information sets out entitlements. Countersigning Officers may however exercise discretion.
Fare Structure Available on Flight Level of entitlement
Economy All staff
Business Senior Civil Service – however economy is encouraged
First Senior Civil Service in exceptional circumstances with prior approval of Director General.
2. Domestic flights
- Air travel within the mainland United Kingdom should only be made with Director level (or above) approval.
The SG wishes to show leadership in getting best value for money, and prudent use of the public purse. Economy Class must be used in all circumstances where this is available, unless the Countersigning Officer is willing to sanction a higher level of ticket in accordance with the exception:
Where a member of staff, who is not a Senior Civil Servant, necessarily travels for official reasons, in company with a person who is not a United Kingdom civil servant, and who is travelling in a higher class.
Last minute bookings should be avoided. In exceptional circumstances, or where the Director is not available, retrospective Director level approval can be sought. However, before bookings are made you should discuss it with your line manager and inform your Director’s office of your intentions.
3. Travel to London -The presumed method of travel for staff going to London on official business is rail. Staff who intend to fly to London must obtain Director level authorisation. The SG’s Travel Agent can provide more detailed information on fares and ticket types.
4. Overseas travel -When travelling on official business staff should travel economy on any individual flight when the flying time (one way) is less than 10 hours.
Business class travel is only permitted when:
the flying time (one way) for that flight is more than 10 hours, or
the Countersigning Officer is willing to sanction a higher level of ticket in accordance with exception noted in part 2.
5. Charter flights
- Special regulations apply in connection with the charter of air transport. The SG’s Travel Agent must be consulted in all cases where it is proposed to use that method of travel. The exception is if the aircraft is chartered by another government department.