So, for those that are still interested here are the NPAS stats for 2019-20.
The downward spiral continues. Costs are up, Actioned Calls(where an aircraft arrives overhead a job) have gone down by nearly 4000 from 20,990 to 17,135. Correspondingly, hours flown have reduced from 14,166 to 11,545. Prior to NPAS flying hours were around 24,000. So that’s a reduction of over 50%
Total costs to Forces prior to NPAS was approximately £43M for 33 aircraft flying around 24,000 hours. Now it’s £42M for 15 aircraft flying 11,545 hours. How many more years of increasing costs and declining flying will it take before the whole thing becomes completely uneconomic?
As always there are winners and losers. West Mids seem to be the biggest loser, with their costs going from £1.8M in 2018-19 to £3.0M for 2019-20. Meanwhile, their number of Actioned Calls have plummeted from 1372 down to 585.
Northumberland appear the biggest winner. their costs have reduced by nearly 25% with an increase in Actioned Calls of 28%.
Overall though, most Forces are paying less than before NPAS, but nearly half are paying more. However, the vast majority are paying more than last year with a reduction in the number of Actioned Calls.
