AirTanker Services
Vorlage:Infobox Airline AirTanker Services, operating as AirTanker, is a British airline which operates charter services using reserve aerial refuelling aircraft.
In 2008 the Ministry of Defence signed the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) contract with AirTanker to provide the Royal Air Force (RAF) with an air transport and air-to-air refuelling capability. As well as supporting the RAF, AirTanker holds a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Type A Operating Licence, permitting it to carry passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats.[1]
Following the granting of an operating licence the airline flew its first charter flight to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus for the UK Ministry of Defence in January 2013.[2] After delays in certification, its first operational refuelling flight took place on 20 May 2013.[3]
Starting in May 2015, AirTanker are leasing one aircraft to Thomas Cook Airlines to be deployed on holiday routes. The contract will initially run for three years and involve mainly long haul flights from Glasgow, Manchester and Stansted.
Passenger destinations
- RAF Ascension Island
- RAF Akrotiri
- RAF Brize Norton Hub
- Calgary
- RAF Mount Pleasant
- Cancun
- Montego Bay
- Tenerife
- Dalaman
Fleet
AirTanker has ordered 14 Airbus Voyagers, the RAF version of the Airbus A330 MRTT. As of July 2013 the AirTanker fleet comprises the following: Currently the Airline has 12 A330's
- 9 x Airbus Voyager
- 3 x Airbus A330 (used for air transport/charter work but will be converted to an MRTT in due course).[3]
References
External links
Vorlage:Airlines of the United Kingdom Vorlage:Aviation lists
- ↑ Type A Operating Licence Holders
- ↑ AirTanker’s first flight as an airline
- ↑ a b Anthony Osborne: AirTanker Cleared To Begin Air-To-Air Refueling Operations. 20. Mai 2013, abgerufen am 25. Mai 2013.