Secretary of State for the Home Department (Home Office)

The complainant requested various information relating to private jet operators, pilots, and passengers using private aviation facilities at UK airports from the Home Office on 18 February 2026. A public authority will breach section 10 of FOIA if it fails to respond to a request within 20 working days.The Commissioner notes that the Home Office extended the time for responding to the request on three separate occasions, issuing holding responses in March, April and May 2026 in order to consider the public interest test. The Home Office subsequently provided its response on 22 May 2026. While section 10(3) of FOIA allows for additional time to consider the public interest test where necessary, the Commissioner is not satisfied that the cumulative delay in this case was reasonable. As the Home Office did not provide its response within the required timeframe for compliance, the Commissioner finds that it breached section 10(1) of FOIA.