THE government has reportedly been struggling to get airlines to take part in their inhumane Rwanda deportation plans.

Firms have declined signing up over fears of damage to their reputations, according to the Sunday Times.

Ministers have had to appoint an agent specifically tasked with sourcing a commercial aircraft, it said.

The government claims to “have robust plans in place.”

But failure to find a partner may result in the Ministry of Defence and the RAF stepping in to do the job. 

Spanish charter airline Privilege Style pulled out of its contract to deport asylum-seekers to Rwanda last year.

One flight, which was cancelled at the last minute following a decision by the European court, cost the taxpayer about £500,000. 

Home Secretary James Cleverly confirmed that the government’s agreement to deport asylum-seekers to the African country will have cost almost £400 million by 2027.

The sum would be enough to completely fund an estimated 2,131 new social homes, which according to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, are in dire demand with more than 1.2 million households on the waiting list in England.