Two Austrian businessmen are finalising plans to launch a charter business based on providing EU governments with a humane and cost-effective alternative to deportation on scheduled airlines.

Aviation consultant Dr. Heinz Berger and lawyer Dr. Herman Heller report they are in negotiations with several governments and studying a shortlist of aircraft best suited to fit the operational needs of their Asylum Airlines project.

"There are several aircraft that might be suitable," says Berger. "The chosen aircraft will be specially equipped for these kinds of operations. It must fulfil all the humanitarian legal, and European aviation regulation requirements. The final decision as to which aircraft would be best should be taken within the next few weeks. We must decide the most effective way to meet all the needs and fly the distances involved. Our research suggests we will have to have more than one aircraft and we believe it might be best to acquire different types."

Berger says the aircraft will be customised with all the proper equipment. "It is a good alternative to scheduled flights," he adds. "The regulations stipulate that the deportee must be accompanied by two people. In Austria this has meant three seats in business class which can be very expensive."

Existing expenses for deportation vary according to requirements but Berger estimates it costs E18,000 to fly a person from Austria to Nigeria.

He adds: "The charter pricing details are being worked out but the service must be cost-effective as well as more efficient and caring. Each charter will have to cater for having a doctor on board and for inspections to confirm the welfare of the deportees."

Berger is an aviation consultant with Skyhawk International based in Vienna and Berlin. His partner is Dr. Herman Heller, a lawyer, whose company ACL Wagner, is an aviation consultant.

"We have everybody we need on board and have arranged the finance. However the launch date depends very much on further detailed consul-tations. It might be this summer," Berger says. "It would make sense to organise flights efficiently so that there might be several scheduled stops.

Requests for asylum in the EU number many thousands each year, with an increase of 14 per cent reported in 2006. The U.K. alone reported 5,725 applications for asylum in the fourth quarter of 2006. The top five applicant nationalities were Iranian, Afghan, Eritrean, Chinese and Somali. It is not unusual for three quarters of applications to be refused.

U.K. government statistics say that, in the fourth quarter of 2006, a total of 4,085 asylum seekers, including dependants, were removed. Asylum Airlines plans schedules based on demand to pick up failed asylum seekers from various EU countries and take them back to their home nations around Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Berger says: "Many airlines have stopped taking asylum seekers home because of unpleasant scenes. With a professional service the deportations will be faster and more comfortable."

The planned flights would have guards, medical staff and a representative of a human rights group on board.

"I would like to stress that we will be putting the emphasis on doing everything possible to achieve the best humanitarian standards possible."