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The Military Wallet

Space-A Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know to Take a Flight on a Military Hop

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What Are Space-A Flights (AKA, Military Hops)?

Are you eligible for a space-a flight, how does space-a travel work.

1. Identify Your Destination and Possible Routes

2. Follow the Space-A Flight Schedules of the Passenger Terminals You May Use

3. sign up to travel from all possible starting locations, 4. mark yourself present within 24 hours of roll call, 5. listen for your name during roll call, 6. check your luggage and obtain your boarding pass, 7. board the aircraft and pick your seat, what to expect on a space-a flight, pros and cons of flying space-a, the pros: what are the advantages of flying space-a, the cons: what are the disadvantages of space-a, when should you use space-a, what would a seasoned space-a traveler recommend.

Update: On April 22, 2022, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense lifted all restrictions on Space-A travel. These restrictions were put in place in March 2020 to limit the spread of Covid-19. Mask mandates and medical screening protocols may still apply.

Looking for a way to save money on travel ? Flying space-available (Space-A) on a military flight can be a fun and inexpensive way to see the world, as airfare to and from U.S. military bases can cost you next to nothing.

Flying Space-A on military aircraft is very different from using commercial air travel, and you can’t just call a military passenger terminal and book your flight. It’s worth learning how Space-A travel works so you can take advantage of this incredible privilege available to eligible members of the military community.

After military flights accommodate all required passengers and cargo, they often release extra seats to service members, retirees and their families. These eligible passengers can “hop” on the flights on a space-available (Space-A) basis. This is where the term “military hop” comes from.

Because these are military, not commercial, flights, the military mission is always the priority. You may fly on a commercial plane, but you could also be in a cargo plane or fuel tanker.

See What You Qualify For

Select an option to continue:

There are six categories, or “cats,” of eligible Space-A travelers, depending on their duty status and the reason they are traveling.

Those in lower-numbered categories receive higher priority for available seats.

Here is a summary of the Space-A travel categories, according to the Military OneSource website :

Cat 1: Emergency leave unfunded travel

Cat 2: Accompanied environmental and morale leave (EML)

Cat 3: Ordinary leave, service members’ relatives, house-hunting permissive temporary duty (TDY), Medal of Honor holders , and foreign military; also includes unaccompanied dependents of service members deployed for more than 365 consecutive days.

Cat 4: Unaccompanied EML; also includes dependents of service members deployed between 30 and 364 consecutive days

Cat 5: Permissive TDY (non-house-hunting), student travel, and post-deployment/mobilization respite absence; also includes unaccompanied dependents of service members stationed outside the continental U.S. (OCONUS)

Cat 6: Military retirees, their dependents, military reserve, Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) members and veterans who are 100% disabled

It is important to know your category when planning your Space-A travel because your category determines when you can sign up, what paperwork you need, and where you are eligible to fly. Table 3 in Section 4.11 of Department of Defense Instruction 4515.13 has more details on eligibility by category and approved geographical travel segments.

Eligibility Note for Veterans with a 100% Disability Rating :

According to the AF.mil website , “veterans with a service-connected, permanent disability rating of 100 percent will be able to travel in the Continental United States or directly between the CONUS and Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa (Guam and American Samoa travelers may transit Hawaii or Alaska); or traveling within Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands on flights operated by Air Mobility Command.”

Disabled veterans must have a DD Form 2765, Defense Department ID Card (Tan), to fly Space-A.

The better you understand how to fly Space-A, the greater your chances of having a successful trip.

The first step is to learn which bases have regular flights to where you want to travel. This list of worldwide destinations where Space-A travel may be available includes profiles of some of the terminals and information about typical flight destinations. You’ll want to begin following some of their Space-A flight schedules, which we’ll discuss in the next step.

You may find several possible routes to your desired destination. For example, if you are on the East Coast and want to fly to one of the common destinations, including Spain or Germany, you will likely be able to travel from several nearby bases. Travelers from other parts of the U.S. may need to take two or more hops to get there.

The Space-A Travelers Facebook group can help you put together a flight plan to your destination. You can ask questions and find information about flying to and from specific locations.

You may have to combine Space-A travel with other transportation. For example, you may need to fly or drive to a base with regular Space-A flights to your desired destination. Or you may need to take a train or flight from an overseas base to your final destination.

The Air Mobility Command website maintains a list of all the military passenger terminals , as well as their contact info and links to their websites and Facebook pages.

You’ll find a 72-hour flight schedule for most terminals on their Facebook pages or the AMC website. The schedules include trip destinations, the number of Space-A seats and the “roll call” time. The roll call time is when terminal staff announces who has been selected for the flight.

You may also find information about recently departed flights, including how the number of Space-A seats and how many passengers competed for those seats.

Click here for more details on how to read the Space-A schedules on Facebook .

When you monitor the flights that depart from your target passenger over several weeks or months, you’ll notice patterns in the location and frequency of their missions.

Determine all the terminals you could depart from to reach your desired destination. You’ll increase your chances of success by signing up to fly from all of them. Signing up is free and takes only a few minutes.

The AMC website details the sign-up options, including the required information. You can sign up through their website, by email or in person at the terminal. You can also use the Take-A-Hop app (which costs $6.99). If you’re signing up for several terminals, email and the Take-A-Hop app are the easiest ways to do so.

The sooner you can sign up, the better, as priority within each category is based on the sign-up date and time. So sign up as early as possible. At most terminals, your sign-up is valid for up to 60 days.

Keep in mind that your category may affect how early you can sign up for Space-A travel. For example, active-duty service members (Cat 3) must be on leave before they can sign up. Those in Cat 3, however, have precedence over those in Cats 4 through 6, regardless of when they signed up.

You must mark yourself present at the terminal before roll call to let the staff know that you are competing for the flight. You can do so anytime within 24 hours of the scheduled roll call. Note: roll call times can change unexpectedly, so continually monitor the terminal’s 72-hour flight schedule to ensure you get there in time or, better yet, call the terminal to confirm.

Bring your military ID and any necessary documents, such as your passport, your leave form or your EML orders. If you are an unaccompanied dependent, you’ll need a memo from your sponsor’s command. Also bring a copy of your sign-up email as a backup to prove your sign-up date and time.

At roll call, terminal staff will announce how many Space-A seats are available for the flight and then the names of the selected passengers,  beginning with those in the highest-priority category.

If they call your name, go to the desk and confirm that you and any dependents traveling with you are present. You’ll need to show your military ID and any required paperwork, as well as ID cards for passengers older than 10 years old. For younger passengers,  bring their passports or MilConnect printouts that show the Department of Defense ID numbers.

If they don’t call your name, don’t leave the terminal just yet. Sometimes last-minute Space-A seats become available, so stay at the terminal until boarding time.

Once you and all members of your traveling party, along with all your luggage, must be present when the baggage check begins. This may be right after roll call, or it may be several hours later. You will need to stay in the terminal, as boarding times, like roll call times, can change without notice.

The AMC website’s FAQ page includes detailed information on baggage allowances. Because smaller aircraft may have different weight limits for luggage, it’s best to check ahead of time.

You will generally be allowed to check two pieces of luggage weighing up to 70 lbs each. Similar to many commercial flights, you can also bring one piece of carry-on luggage that fits under your seat or in the overhead compartment. You can usually check car seats and strollers, and they won’t count toward your baggage allowance.

AMC terminals follow the Transportation Security Administration’s baggage screening guidelines , so check their website ahead of time to see what you can bring in your carry-on bag, and what you must put in checked luggage.

Check if meals are available on the flight, as you’ll pay for these when you check your luggage. Some locations offer simple box lunches for a nominal cost.

If you are flying Space-A on a Patriot Express flight , your boarding pass will list your assigned seat.

When terminal staff announces boarding, you’ll go through security and wait in a secure area. With most flights, a bus will take you to the aircraft, and you’ll board from the tarmac.

On most Space-A flights, you’ll choose your seat when you board. On Patriot Express flights, your boarding pass will list your assigned seat.

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Patriot Express flights offer amenities, including meals and in-flight movies. 

Other Space-A flights do not. Snacks and water may be available, but it’s best to be prepared and bring your own.

Seating depends on the type of aircraft. Some have seats that are comparable to commercial airlines. Others have web seating along the sides of the plane. If this is the case, you can stretch out if there’s room.

Patriot Express flights are climate-controlled, but other military aircraft are not. They are often cold or hot, so dress in layers. They can also be loud. The crew usually provides foam earplugs, but it’s a good idea to bring your own.

There are advantages and disadvantages to Space-A travel.

Space-A flights can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars over commercial airlines, which is a clear advantage. The only costs you might incur are a low per-passenger fee on Patriot Express flights, and you may be able to purchase low-cost meals at some terminals that offer meals for purchase.

When you land, you’ll be able to access base resources, including overnight base lodging and the commissary. You may even be able to purchase discount tickets to local events and attractions through the base’s Information, Tickets and Travel office (ITT).

Being able to stretch out on some aircraft can be another advantage over flying economy in a commercial plane. 

If you’re traveling with small children, you may also find that other passengers are more supportive than with a commercial airline.

And, of course, there may be a greater sense of adventure with Space-A travel.

• Free or low-cost air travel
• Access to base amenities (Base Exchange, Commissary, MWR, ITT, etc.)
• Possibly more space to spread out compared to commercial airlines
• It’s an adventure!

Space-A travel is less predictable than flying commercially. Passenger terminals post flight schedules only 72 hours in advance, and you won’t know if you got a seat until the last minute. 

Peak travel times, including summer, winter holidays, and even spring break, are even more competitive. You may need to be more flexible about when you travel and even where you’ll go.

You may incur other costs with Space-A travel, such as transportation to the base you’ll be flying from. You may need to wait for a flight home–possibly for days–and the costs of lodging and meals can quickly add up.

Finally, Space-A travel, unless you’re on a Patriot Express flight, is bare bones. You may find it cold, loud, and uncomfortable. 

• Travel and schedules can vary.
• Seats aren’t guaranteed — you must have flexible travel plans!
• Travel can be difficult during busy times (summer PCS season, holidays, etc.).
• Lodging, meals and transportation costs can add up.
• Military aircraft can be cold and uncomfortable.

If you have the time, flexibility, and patience to wait for a flight, Space-A travel can offer you an adventure while saving you a lot of money. If you’re traveling for an event, such as a wedding, and must arrive by a specific time, Space-A is not the best way to travel, especially if it’s during the peak seasons of summer, winter holidays, and spring break.

Flying Space-A requires planning, patience, and flexibility. Learn as much as you can about the process, and also research desired destinations and passenger terminals so that you can put together a successful flight plan.

When you are ready to leave, make sure you always have a backup plan and ensure you have enough money to pay for commercial transportation if Space-A doesn’t work out. Also, be prepared for a multi-legged journey–several shorter hops that bring you closer to your destination rather than one long direct flight.

About Post Author

Stephanie Montague

Stephanie Montague is the founder of Poppin’ Smoke , a website designed to encourage members of the military community to use their military benefits for travel. Stephanie and her husband have been traveling the world since he retired from the Army in 2015. Through Poppin’ Smoke, Stephanie shares everything they learn about Space-A travel and using military benefits while abroad.

See author's posts

Posted In: Military & Veterans Benefits

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ray maring says

December 29, 2023 at 9:17 am

Thank you for hosting this information. I am a guardsman, retired and are interested in traveling now.

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Space A Travel: Everything You Need To Know

Julie Provost

What is Space-A Travel?

Table of Contents

Space-A is being able to travel on DOD aircraft for free or at a limited cost. The flights you take are on a space-available basis, and the number of passengers they take will depend on the flight. Space-A can get you to many different places worldwide, but some locations are more challenging to fly to than others.

When you fly Space-A, you have to do some planning and research. You must know which Space-A category you fall into and what that will mean for flights. You will need to make sure you are eligible and have all the right paperwork. You can travel with children, but you do need to be prepared for the whole trip, and that might be more difficult than flying commercially.

What Are the Different Categories for Space-A Travel?

Those who are eligible for Space-A typically fit into one of six different categories. These categories help determine how likely it is that you can fly.

Category I : Emergency Leave Unfunded Travel- For emergency situations only.

Category II: EML (Environmental Morale Leave) for Active Duty and dependents.

Category III: Active Duty Ordinary Leave- This category also includes those on Terminal Leave as well as their accompanied dependents, those on House Hunting Permissive TDY, Medal of Honor Holders, and dependents of deployed service members as long as they are deployed for 365 consecutive days or more. It is important to note that these dependents will be selected behind active duty members no matter when they sign up.

Category IV: Unaccompanied Dependents on EML or dependents whose sponsor is deployed between and including 30-364 days as well as DODDS teachers on EML during the summer.

Category V: Unaccompanied command-sponsored and non-command-sponsored dependents of active duty, permissive TDY (non-house hunting), and students.

Category VI: 100% disabled veterans.  Retirees as well as their accompanied Dependents, reserve, ROTC, NUPOC, and CEC. The DoD adds, “Surviving Spouses of service members who died while on active duty, inactive duty training, or annual training status. as well as retired military members, and their accompanying dependents.”

Can Retirees Fly Space-A?

Retired military members who are issued DD Form 2 and eligible to receive retired or retainer pay may use Space-A travel according to the Air Mobility Command Space-A official site.

RELATED : Disabled Veterans Can Now Fly Space-A

Are You Able to Travel Without Your Service Member?

Only eligible dependents whose service member is stationed overseas can travel unaccompanied and would do so as CAT-V, with some CONUS restrictions. Those whose service member is deployed for 30 days or more may travel unaccompanied anywhere that Space-A is allowed at a CAT-III, after active duty, or CAT-IV, based on how long they are deployed, as mentioned above. If your spouse is not deployed and stationed in CONUS, you can not use Space-A unless you are with your service member.

What About National Guard or Reserve Members?

At press time, Space-A travel is authorized for National Guard/Reserve components/members of the Ready Reserve and members of the Standby Reserve who are on the Active Status List.

What Do You Have to Do to Get On A Flight?

The first step is get authorized to travel on Space-A. This means starting leave if you are on active duty or getting a travel letter if you are an unaccompanied dependent. If you are a retiree, you should be authorized when you are ready to start the process.

• Sign up and register at the locations you plan to travel to and from. You can do this at some terminals through an online form, in person, by email, or by fax. This signing up doesn’t mean you are on a flight or have an exact flight time. What you will be doing is getting assigned a date and time. This will put you in front of anyone in your category who has a later date and/or time than you do.
• Sign up as soon as possible for as many places as you think you might go. If you are unsure where you will be flying from, sign-up for all potential places. You don’t want to sign-up too far in advance so that your sign-up expires before the date you want to fly. For active duty, you should sign-up as soon as your leave starts, and that sign-up should last until your leave is over. For non-active duty, sign-ups are valid for 60 days.
• Each sign-up location is independent. Call to verify that you are signed up and carry a printed copy of your emails verifying you have done so. That way, you can show that you should be on any list you need to use to travel.

Showing Up for a Flight

• Show up before any potential flight you want to take. Flights will get posted, and you can make your plan from there. You need to mark yourself “Present” for the flight you want to go on. This tells the terminal that you are there and will be ready to fly when the time comes.
• When exactly you are marked “Present” doesn’t matter as far as where you are in line; the date and time of when you signed up does, but you would need to be marked present within 24 hours of flight time.
• It is a good idea to get to the terminal, ready to fly with all of your bags and paperwork, about an hour before what is called “Show Time.” You would then mark yourself “Present” by checking in at the desk and wait until “Show Time.” At this point, you do not want to leave the area, even to grab a bite to eat. Times can change, and you want to be ready if that happens.

Show Time and Roll Call

• “Show Time” is when “Roll Call” can begin, and it is about 2-3 hours before it would be time to fly. You need to be aware of when “Show Time” is supposed to start, as well as what time you would fly if you make it on the flight. Always give yourself extra time.
• “Roll Call” is going to be when the date and time you “signed up” for that location and the category you are in come into play. With “Roll Call,” they start with CAT-I and go through all the way until CAT-VI or until they fill all the seats. For example, someone in CAT-IV, who signed up on June 1st at 10:30 am will be ahead of someone who signed up for CAT-IV, on June 1st, at 11:30 am.  All of CAT-IV would be ahead of all of CAT-5. They might just have 10 seats, or they might have 50 seats, it depends on the flight, aircraft, and how much space they actually have on the flight.
• You will need to be right there during “Roll Call.” If you are somewhere else, and they call your name, and you don’t check-in, you will not make it on the flight. You will need to be travel-ready when this happens.
• Being “Manifested” means you are selected for a flight, and you will be going on this flight unless the flight itself is canceled or you get bumped for cargo. This is where you want to be.
• You can also be “Manifested Through,” which means you won’t have to compete for a seat on your second flight. However, you need to make sure you are “Manifested Through” to your end location. This, however, does not mean you have your round trip covered. You will have to compete for seats on your return trip.

How Much Does Space-A Travel Cost?

Many Space-A flights are free; however, if you take a Patriot Express flight, you may be charged a head tax and inspection fees. Bring cash for this flight, you may not be permitted to pay using a credit card.

You may also need to have extra money for possible stays in hotels, extra food, or even money for transportation. Because some flights get canceled, or it can be hard to get on right away, you might have to wait near the terminal for a few nights.

How Many Bags Can You Bring?

For Space-A, the nature of the mission determines how much baggage can be loaded. On some flights, you may be allowed to bring two pieces of luggage each, not to exceed 70 lbs.  For others, there may be a requirement for the bags to be under 30 lbs.

Where Can You Go For Extra Help?

• The Air Mobility Command website – This is where you can read information about how Space-A works, sign up for flights, and more.
• SpaceA.net – An informational site about the ins and outs of Space-A travel.

Other Tips For Flying Space-A?

The main thing you need to remember is that Space-A is going to require some planning. You will need to spend some time researching where you will go, how many flights they have, and how easy it might be for you to get on a flight. Certain times of the year are busier than others, and you must bring your patience.

Flights can get delayed for days. You might go through the entire process and end up on a flight, only to have to get off and start all over again because there is something going on with the plane. You need to plan for if your first idea doesn’t work out.

There are a lot of benefits to flying Space-A. You can see the world and can do so without having to spend a lot of money, but you have to understand that you will have to work for it. Some flights will be easier than others, and you just never really know what you will find when you attempt to fly Space-A.

If you need to reach your destination by a certain date, Space-A might not be the best way to get there. Unlike a commercial airline, you are not guaranteed a time and a place to fly. Being flexible and understanding is a must. If you can go into Space-A with that mindset, you can enjoy everything Space-A has to offer. 

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Politics latest: 'Big questions' for Sunak over claims against suspended Tory MP; Sturgeon's husband charged over alleged embezzlement

Labour's chairwoman says there are "big questions" for Rishi Sunak over allegations against Tory MP Mark Menzies, who has been suspended by the party. Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon's husband, Peter Murrell, is charged amid a police investigation into SNP funding and finances.

Thursday 18 April 2024 23:08, UK

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• Nicola Sturgeon's husband charged amid police investigation into SNP funding and finances
• Davidson says she'll be 'surprised' if MP accused of misusing campaign funds 'survives the week'
• Mood in Conservative Party 'very, very bleak'
• Lancashire Police say no complaints made following allegations against Mark Menzies
• Tories hit historic low in new poll - but there's bad news for Starmer as well
• Number 10 declines to recommit to spring deadline for Rwanda flights
• Explained: Why the legislation hasn't passed yet
• Live reporting by Charlotte Chelsom-Pill and (earlier)  Faith Ridler

Thank you for joining us on the Politics Hub for another busy day in Westminster.

Here's what happened:

• Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell has been charged by police amid an investigation into the SNP's funding and finances;
• Tory MP Mark Menzies has been suspended by the parliamentary party while it investigates newspaper claims he misused campaign funds;
• Mr Menzies disputes the allegations, but the Conservative Party said it was taking them "seriously";
• Conservative peer Ruth Davidson told Sky's  Electoral Dysfunction  podcast she doesn't think Mr Menzies will survive the week as an MP;
• The Scottish government ditched its flagship target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030;
• Number 10 confirmed again it will not be making concessions on changes to the Rwanda bill requested by the House of Lords. The legislation will return to the Commons on Monday;
• The Conservatives hit a record low of 19% for voting intention in a new poll published by Ipsos UK;
• The EU proposed a post-Brexit youth work and study scheme with the UK.

Join us again from 6am for the very latest political news.

By Adam Parsons , Europe correspondent, and Tim Baker , political reporter

Young people could be able to move more easily between the UK and Europe and stay longer to work, study and train under proposed plans by the European Union

Under the proposal, which has been put forward by the European Commission ,  new rules would be drawn up to allow for greater movement between the UK and EU countries for people aged between 18 and 30.

Formal negotiations have not yet begun, and a UK source told Sky News no formal proposal had been put forward by Brussels to begin negotiating on.

The proposal will be further discussed by the European Council, which represents all the nations, before negotiations start in earnest.

The plans proposed by the EU would allow young people to stay in Europe for periods of four years, with the same rules extended to EU citizens coming to Britain.

It would also mean EU students paying the same fees as British ones. Since Brexit, UK universities have charged much higher fees to European students.

Announcing the move, the European Commission said it wanted to take an "innovative" approach to tackling the barriers experienced by young people looking to travel from the EU to the UK and vice versa for longer periods.

Read more here:

By Faye Brown , political reporter

Sir Keir Starmer said police should be involved in the case of suspended Tory MP Mark Menzies, who faces allegations he misused campaign funds.

The backbench MP for Flyde in Lancashire has lost the Conservative whip after The Times published claims he had used political donations to cover medical expenses and pay off "bad people" who had locked him in a flat and demanded thousands of pounds for his release.

Mr Menzies disputes the allegations, and the Conservative Party has said it is looking into the claims and takes them seriously.

The Labour leader told reporters during a visit to Teesside: "There are obviously a lot of unanswered questions in relation to these allegations. Not least why it seems the Conservative Party took so long to act and whether they've reported this to the police, who it seems to me should be involved in this."

He said there is a "degree of frustration" that two weeks away from the local elections "yet again we're talking about misbehaviour by Tory MPs".

Earlier, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps denied suggestions there was a problem within the Tory party, telling Sky News: "There are MPs from other parties that have experienced similar problems or misdemeanours and it is right that there are processes in place."

Senior Tory Ruth Davidson says she'll be "surprised" if MP Mark Menzies lasts the week, following allegations - which he denies - that he misused campaign funds. 

On the latest episode of Sky's   Electoral Dysfunction  podcast, which you'll be able to listen to from 6am on Friday, Baroness Davidson says the claims against him are "utterly jaw dropping".

"It is so out with the bounds of what being a responsible, elected member is and how you treat your constituency association. It is staggering, like utterly staggering," she says.

"I would find it difficult to believe that an investigation can be held and he can be cleared in time to stand a general election. 

"In fact, I would be surprised if he survives the week here and doesn't just resign."

Mr Menzies is alleged to have used thousands of pounds given by donors to fund medical expenses and to have made a late-night call to a party volunteer asking for help because he had been locked up by "bad people" demanding money for his release, according to The Times.

He has been suspended by the parliamentary party while it investigates the allegations.

The MP for Fylde in Lancashire, who was one of Rishi Sunak's trade envoys, disputes the allegations but the Conservative Party said it is taking them "seriously" and "will always investigate matters put to them".

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps told Sky News earlier: "There's a process in place. He has had the whip withdrawn. 

"There's further information that the chief whip I understand became familiar with yesterday and actions being swiftly taken on the basis of that further information. 

"I think it is important to stress that the MP in question here denies the allegations and so on basis of sort of fairness and proper justice, I think it’s important to mention that."

To hear more from Baroness Davidson's conversation with Sky's political editor  Beth Rigby   and Labour MP Jess Phillips, tune into the full episode of Electoral Dysfunction from 6am on Friday.

👉 Listen above then tap here to follow Electoral Dysfunction wherever you get your podcasts 👈

Nicola Sturgeon's husband and former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has arrived back at home after being charged by police amid an investigation into the party's funding and finances.

He returned to the home he shares with Ms Sturgeon on the outskirts of Glasgow earlier this evening.

Police said he has been charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the party.

He was questioned by detectives after being taken into Police Scotland custody on Thursday at 9.13am.

He remained in police custody until he was charged just after 6.30pm.

An SNP spokesperson said: "While this development will come as a shock, the police investigation remains ongoing and it would, therefore, be inappropriate to make any comment." 

Over a year ago, Rishi Sunak made five pledges for voters to judge him on.

The prime minister met his promise to halve inflation by the end of 2023.

But with the general election approaching, how is Mr Sunak doing on delivering his other promises?

You can see the progress for yourself below:

The European Commission wants to open up post-Brexit talks which could make it easier for young Britons to study, work and live in the EU. 

It said it would ask EU Council member states permission to negotiate with the UK government on a youth mobility agreement.

It suggested Britain had shown interest in agreements with individual European nations, but said an EU-wide approach was preferable.

Downing Street, however, suggested bilateral schemes were in the UK's best interest.

Under the prospective deal proposed by the Commission, UK and EU citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 would be able to stay for up to four years in their destination country.

It would not amount to reinstating free movement, which the UK gave up when it left the EU. 

European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic said: "The United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union has hit young people in the EU and the UK who would like to study, work and live abroad particularly hard.

"Today, we take the first step towards an ambitious but realistic agreement between the EU and the UK that would fix this issue. 

"Our aim is to rebuild human bridges between young Europeans on both sides of the Channel."

A No 10 spokeswoman said: "The UK does have at a bilateral level a number of such schemes in place and we do that where it's in the best interest of the UK.

"And we do it as long as it meets our requirement to balance bringing in skills to the UK and exchanging those skills, but at the same time making sure that it's in line with our objectives to also be promoting and fostering UK talents and skills.

"We have spoken about wanting to reduce legal migration and also about wanting to support UK talent and skills and that's why we have a system in place whereby we have a number of agreements with individual EU member states where that works in our interests and we have that rather than a Commission-wide agreement." 

Labour, meanwhile, has said it has "no plans for a youth mobility scheme".

Conservative MP Mark Menzies has been suspended from the parliamentary party in light of allegations he abused local Tory party funds to pay off "bad people".

Mark Menzies strongly disputes the claims which also include accusations he used campaign funds to pay his personal medical bills.

On the Conservatives' investigation into the claims, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps told Sky News: "There's further information that the chief whip I understand became familiar with yesterday and actions being swiftly taken on the basis of that further information.

"I think it is important to stress that the MP in question here denies the allegations and so on basis of sort of fairness and proper justice, I think it's important to mention that."

On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by political correspondent Darren McCaffrey to analyse how Westminster will cope with another scandal.

Plus, the Scottish government has come under fire for rowing back on its climate commitments.

Niall speaks to science correspondent Thomas Moore about the consequences of the government missing eight out of 12 of its annual climate commitments.

👉 Listen above then tap here to follow the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts 👈

By Connor Gillies , Scotland correspondent

The climate gloves are off in a tale as old as time. Holyrood vs Westminster: the Green edition.

The SNP and its former leader Nicola Sturgeon stood on the global stage and won plaudits for their bold ambitions to help the slowdown in environmental doom.

Ms Sturgeon basked in a standing ovation when she boasted that Scotland was the first country on the planet to declare a “climate emergency”. But was it all talk? Was it without real substance?

The reality is the Edinburgh government, which includes Green Party ministers, has failed to hit its own targets for years and has faced claims of over promising and under delivering.

At Holyrood on Thursday, ministers climbed down from their big plans of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by the end of the decade while lashing out at cuts from Downing Street making it more difficult ( see post at 2.52pm ).

The reality is the fallout of Rishi Sunak’s backpedalling last year on the UK’s climate targets has impacted what Scotland can deliver within its constraints. Edinburgh was, in part, pinning plans on consequential cash from London.

But, is that the full story? Some would say the separate tartan targets were far from achievable.

Humza Yousaf told Sky News he is fully committed to net zero by 2045 which is still five years ahead of Westminster. It feels a political world away to say whether that date will also fall victim to tweaks and changes.

Nevertheless, it reveals the road to net zero continues to throw up surprises along the way.

People voting in local elections in England on 2 May will need to provide photo ID.

It is the second year the requirement has been in place - but in 2023,  14,000 people couldn't cast their ballot because they didn't take ID to the polling booth.

There are 22 different types of ID you can use - and if you don't have any of them, you can register for a Voter Authority Certificate.

Here's everything you need to know to avoid being caught out:

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• Base Lodging:  NOTE: The Shogun Inn is the ONLY one located ON Kadena. The rest will require you to leave the base and could be a problem if you do not have a Japanese immigration stamp to exit the base.
• Billeting (Shogun Inn) : 81-611-732-1010 or 1050 or Skype 81-98-962-1010 (Lodging DSN is 632) or * Navy Gateway Inn  (877) 628-9233 (NAVYBED) - cheapest, closest, walking distance from the Passenger Terminal.  Local Shogun Inn Web Page.   Note: The Naha Airport Shuttle listed on Shogun's web page may have stopped service in June 2011 - verify prior to travel.
• MCCS Okinawa Lodging and Billeting website  - contains links to all the various inns and lodging available
• Habu Hilton: 634-0677/1173, 0.8km from Passenger Terminal; approx $30/night (2010 prices)
• Off-Base Lodging:
• Crown Hotel: immediately outside Kadena Gate 2 off to the right (not 5-star but good).
• See the "Local Expert Advice" section for additional information on lodging on and off base.
• Long-Term Parking (greater than 30 days) is available approx 400 meters from the terminal. Parking for 30-days or less is available just outside the terminal up on the little hill. Be sure to ask for vehicle passes upon check-in to place on your dashboard.
• Vehicles parked beyond 24 hours without a vehicle pass may be ticketed and/or towed at owner’s expense.
• Contact the Pax Reps for details upon arrival to verify locations and durations allowed.
• +81-611-734-5806 098-962-6487 (from Japanese Cell Phone)Online Flight Sc
• Shedules: See the Terminal Page
• Terminal Hours: 0600-2200 7 days a week. Terminal will open approximately 30 minutes prior to any Space “A” call.
• Terminal Dining: Cafeteria on the 2nd floor serves breakfast and lunch – open only till 1500. (as of Jun 2011)
• Lockers: None
• Showers: 2nd Floor
• Internet/WiFi: 3 computers on 2nd floor with internet - and a fax machine, no printer (as of Jun 2011). Wi-Fi available (as of Apr 12).
• USO: YES - well-stocked with snacks, coffee and soft drinks, books and magazines and military periodicals abounds. Open depending on traffic (big flights arrivals and departures)
• Base Dining Facility: Located approximately 1 mile from terminal (currently unknown if retirees can dine there)
• Located on Okinawa
• Patriot Express (to/from Seatac) with most flights to Atsugi NAF, Iwakuni MCAS, Yokota AFB and an occasional Guam, Hickam and Elmendorf and some CONUS. Flights to the Philippines are common but hard to get, typically zero seats
• On-Base Shuttle: None
• Rental Car (On Base): Exchange Bldg. 219 1-512-672-7445, 050-5865-3060 Reservations: [email protected]
• Rental Car (Off Base): Widely available (no phone numbers available)
• Taxi/Shuttle: No shuttle bus, taxis available by calling. Numbers are posted by the public phones in the terminal. Cost to anywhere in the base is $8.00 (As of June 2011). The Naha Airport Shuttle listed on Shogun's web page may have stopped service in June 2011 - verify prior to travel.
• Local Bus: Widely available but working knowledge of Japanese a must!
• Local Rail: No rail available on Okinawa, but there is limited monorail service within the city limits of Naha.
• Dialing Instructions for Kadena AB Phone numbers
• Dialing from Cell Phone:  Dial 098-938-1111 for the operator and you'll hear a dial tone for 3 - 6 seconds before being connected to an operator. When you hear the dial tone you can dial DSN 634-5806.
• GPS Coordinates for other Kadena Locations:
• Kadena 18th Medical Group Clinic: N 26 20.749 E127 47.082
• Kadena Base Exchange/Commissary: N 26 20.489 E127 46.836
• United States Navy Hospital: N 26 18.957 E127 45.819
• Miscellaneous Lodging and Transportation  - Some good info available from the U. S. NAVAL HOSPITAL OKINAWA Website.  Also includes phone dialing instructions.
• How do I process through Japanese Immigration at Kadena?
• All non-SOFA passengers arriving in Japan MUST process through Government of Japan Immigration and Customs (GPS:  N 26 21.786 E127 45.354 ) regardless of how short your stay may be in JapanUNLESS you are a through-load passenger on a flight and re-boarding is imminent. If you are selected for a flight from Kadena to another location in Japan and are terminating in Japan, you do not have to go to immigration.
• If you are selected for a flight going outside of Japan, you must process through Japanese immigration. The immigration office is located outside Kadena Gate 4 (closed) which is the Navy side so you have to go out of gate 1 and drive along side Highway 58. For purposes of getting stamped in and out of the country, the office is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Upon arrival in Japan, Security Forces will drive you to Customs and Immigration but upon departure, you must find your own way to the Immigration Office. You'll need your boarding pass, passport and departure slip to get stamped out of the country. Since it's takes at least 30 to 40 minutes (to get there, get processed and return to the terminal) you may want to consider hiring an on-base taxi to take you back and forth to the Immigration office. Taxi cost is 3000 yen or $40.00 (round trip) (As of June 2011)
• Again, the above-mentioned procedures apply to non-SOFA passengers (which means most Space-A pax not stationed in Japan).
• Kadena AB's Main Website

Please help keep this information current for your fellow travelers and send any updates or corrections to [email protected]

Passenger Terminal

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