Rwanda’s state-owned airline has rejected an offer to fly asylum seekers to Kigali as part of Rishi Sunak’s controversial flagship plan to cut immigration.

Rwanda’s government-owned RwandAir was approached about Mr Sunak’s plans last year but turned down the opportunity over concerns about reputational damage.

A Home Office insider told the Financial Times: “RwandAir said ‘no’ because of the damage it could cause to its brand.”

Mr Sunak has made stopping small boats crossing the Channel one of his core promises to voters, but the promise has been mired in legal troubles, causing serious delays in implementing the policy.

The Supreme Court ruled against it last year and no one has yet been sent to Rwanda. Mr Sunak hosted Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Downing Street on Tuesday. “Both leaders are looking forward to flights to Rwanda in the spring,” a spokesman said.

Last week, Sunak said he was willing to defy orders from the European Court of Human Rights if necessary to implement his plans for Rwanda.

The meeting comes as Freedom from Torture launches a campaign to pressure airlines to be excluded from Mr Sunak’s plans. The charity said the airline was in talks to be part of the scheme.

AirTanker operates the UK’s fleet of aerial tankers, which are also used as passenger aircraft.

In a post on its website, the charity said: “AirTanker is currently reportedly in talks with the government to fly refugees to Rwanda as part of its cruel cash-for-humanity scheme.

“This government’s plan for Rwanda is contrary to international law, the UK’s highest court and common human dignity. It is cruel and wrong. We see the horrors endured by torture survivors every day in our treatment rooms.

“In 2022, AirTanker announced it would no longer participate in the program. It’s time for them to do the right thing again.”

Just days ago it was reported that a property earmarked for migrants deported from the UK had been sold to a local Rwandan buyer.

According to The Times, 70 per cent of the 163 affordable homes in Bweza Riverside Estate have been sold, meaning it can only house a few dozen immigrants.

As part of a public-private partnership between the Government of Kigali and ADHI Corporate Group, properties funded range in price from £14,000 to £27,000.

A manager of the estate said the houses had been sold to “private persons who wanted to live in them”.

After the Times report, Labor demanded “urgent clarification” about the “farce” over the Rwanda plan and called on the Prime Minister to address the issue directly during the Easter recess of the House of Commons.

“It now looks like there will be even less capacity to accommodate those who have been demolished. The Conservatives’ so-called plans are unraveling and taxpayers are footing the bill. It’s time for change,” Shadow Immigration Minister Stephen Kinnock Kinnock said.

Eighty-two migrants crossed the English Channel in small boats on Monday, taking the total so far this year to 5,517, according to the latest Home Office figures.

AirTanker has been contacted for comment.