FBI Director Kash Patel flew to Italy aboard a government aircraft on 19 February 2026 to attend the final rounds of the men's ice hockey tournament at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, a trip whose estimated £58,000 ($75,000) cost to American taxpayers has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers and the public alike.

The journey, which public flight data confirmed originated at Manassas, Virginia, before a brief stop at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, landed Patel in northern Italy just in time for both the bronze medal match on Saturday and the gold medal game on Sunday, in which Team USA defeated Canada.

The aircraft at the centre of the controversy is the FBI'sGulfstream G550, a jet valued at approximately £46 million ($60 million). According to government aircraft accounting data reviewed byMS NOW, operating the aircraft costs American taxpayers an estimated £3,850 ($5,000) per flight hour. A direct transatlantic flight to northern Italy takes roughly 9 hours each way, bringing the estimated round-trip cost to £58,000 ($75,000).

Federal rules require the FBI director to use government aircraft for all air travel, official or otherwise, to maintain access to secure communications systems and allow for rapid return to Washington in the event of a national security emergency. The same rules also require the director to reimburse the government for any portion of a trip deemed personal, up to the cost of a commercial airline ticket.

The Bureau defended the trip's official character. In astatement posted to Xafter CBS News published its initial report, FBI Assistant Director for Public Affairs Ben Williamson wrote that the journey 'is not a personal trip' and was 'planned months ago'.

This article is designed to mislead - CBS is just looking at public flight tracking, guessing, and then filling space with old info and quotes from Democrats.No, it’s not a personal trip. Director Patel is on a trip that was planned months ago. It includes: partner meetings…https://t.co/hgsF4IHvYp

According to Williamson, the itinerary included partner meetings with Italian law enforcement and security officials, who had reportedly extended an invitation to Patel back in July 2025, as well as a follow-up meeting with US Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta, briefings at a US consulate on the Bureau's Olympic security posture, and separate meetings with Legat staff stationed in the country.

Kash just called me and told me to add “Please tell them yes, I am rooting for the greatest team on earth from the greatest country on earth. Go Team USA 🇺🇸.” cc:@CBSNewsplease add.

The Milan trip did not emerge in isolation. Patel has faced sustained scrutiny over his use of government aircraft since the early months of his tenure as FBI director.

CBS News first reportedin April 2025 that a Department of Justice Boeing 757 made two round-trip flights from Washington to New York over a single weekend, once to Stewart International Airport near a charity hockey event where Patel appeared, and again the following day to John F. Kennedy International Airport, where flight records showed the aircraft landed hours before Patel was photographed in box seats next to hockey legend Wayne Gretzky watching Alex Ovechkin break the NHL scoring record.

Source: International Business Times UK