MEP Özlem Demirel (The Left) has submitted a parliamentary question to the European Commission seeking detailed information on Frontex's surveillance aircraft operations in the English Channel, raising concerns over costs, technology, and data access by UK authorities.
The written question, dated 29 June 2026, asks the Commission to disclose the total costs incurred from the aircraft's deployment between 2021 and 2026, broken down by framework contracts and additional expenditures paid by member states or the UK. Demirel also requests specifics on the surveillance technologies on board and the number of flight hours completed each year since 2021. Furthermore, she inquires which national authorities have real-time access to the collected video and sensor data, and how UK authorities are involved in information sharing or mission implementation.
The question reflects the MEP's push for transparency and accountability in Frontex's border surveillance activities, particularly regarding cooperation with non-EU countries. The Commission is expected to respond within approximately six weeks, and its answer will signal the extent of data-sharing arrangements with the UK and the financial burden on EU taxpayers.