AirTanker Services Limited

AirTanker Services operates from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, the largest RAF base in the country. The company runs fourteen Airbus A330 MRTT aircraft, known to the RAF as Voyagers, which serve as tankers and transports. These planes began life as civilian airliners before being converted to military use. They refuel RAF and allied aircraft in flight and carry troops and cargo worldwide. The fleet also supports medical evacuations when needed. The Voyagers replaced older tankers like the Vickers VC10 and Lockheed TriStar. No. 10 Squadron started RAF operations with the Voyager in 2012, followed by No. 101 Squadron in 2013. The aircraft conduct the twice-weekly South Atlantic Air Bridge to the Falkland Islands, flying over 12,700 kilometres with a refuelling stop. They have also supported combat missions over Iraq and Syria as part of Operation Shader. One Voyager was specially fitted for VIP use by the Royal Family and senior government officials. Visitors to RAF Brize Norton can see the AirTanker Hub, the company’s headquarters and maintenance base. The facilities house all support services for the fleet, including engineering and logistics. The Voyagers stand ready on the tarmac, their dual civilian and military markings showing their dual roles. The base itself is a busy hub of activity, with aircraft coming and going on military and civilian missions. The scale of the operation reflects the importance of aerial refuelling to modern air forces.