Doug Ford’s penchant for flying private took off before jet purchase, records show

Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s use of private flights increased significantly before the provincial government purchased a $28.9-million private jet in 2026. An analysis of Ford’s calendars from June 29, 2018, to February 4, 2026, reveals he transitioned almost entirely to private or charter flights by late 2025, with at least two-thirds of his flights since January 2025 recorded as private. The last commercial flight logged in his calendars occurred in late September 2025, marking a stark contrast to his early tenure as premier, when he almost exclusively used commercial flights. Ford initially boasted in 2019 about refusing to use the premier’s plane, a King Air previously operated by past premiers. He stated he preferred driving to connect with people, though he took mostly commercial flights during the early years of his premiership. His travel habits shifted after the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) acquired a second Pilatus PC-12 plane in May 2023 for $8.91 million, with Ford’s calendars showing increased use of private flights, including trips on the OPP’s aircraft. At least 12 of his flights between May 2023 and November 2023 were linked to Buttonville Municipal Airport, a private flight hub used by the OPP before its closure. The premier’s office denied any involvement in the OPP’s decision to purchase additional aircraft, stating the government has no role in police operational needs. Ford’s calendars indicate he relied on the OPP’s planes for private travel, with a documented round-trip to Ottawa on an ‘OPP Pilatus’ in May 2023. The shift to private travel accelerated after the OPP acquired a third plane, a Pilatus PC-24, late in 2024, coinciding with Ford’s near-exclusive use of private flights. The trend continued despite public scrutiny, culminating in the government’s purchase of a $28.9-million private jet in 2026, which faced fierce backlash before being returned. Ford’s travel records, now partially exempt from freedom of information requests due to recent legislative changes, highlight a pattern of increasing reliance on private flights long before the jet purchase. The analysis underscores a shift in travel habits tied to the availability of provincial resources, including OPP aircraft.