What we do

We are the organisation behind the revolutionary Multi-Role Tanker Transport ‘Voyager’ capability, delivering flexible capabilities to the Royal Air Force and in addition providing agile capabilities to the civil leasing market.

Our role

At AirTanker our primary role is to ensure the safe and effective operation of the RAF’s fleet of Voyager aircraft. Voyager is the largest aircraft in the RAF fleet and brings a step-change in capability. It is a dedicated air-to-air refuelling (AAR) platform and can also operate in air transport and aeromedical evacuation roles.

In 2008, we signed a 27-year contract with the Ministry of Defence to deliver and support 14 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, which operate as Voyager while in RAF service. Voyager is a variant of the Airbus A330-200 and represents a proven technology that extends the RAF’s strategic reach globally.

The service we provide underpins the RAF’s strategic and tactical operation of the aircraft. As well as aircraft delivery we are responsible for all aspects of Voyager’s operation from crew training and maintenance through to dispatch.

We have now delivered all 14 aircraft under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) contract. We’re proud that all 14 were delivered on time and on budget.

Nine of these aircraft form a ‘core fleet’ for the RAF. The five ‘non-core’ aircraft are available to the RAF but can also be made available to other parties. This can include providing military capability to other nations or through civil leasing. In this case the aircraft is converted into civilian configuration.