AirTanker
AirTanker is a private UK aviation services consortium that operates the RAF's 14-aircraft Voyager A330 MRTT fleet under a 27-year Ministry of Defence contract, providing air-to-air refuelling, strategic transport and aeromedical evacuation, with secondary ACMI leasing and NATO MRTT support revenue.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersCarterton, United Kingdom
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What AirTanker does
AirTanker is a privately held UK aviation services consortium operating from RAF Brize Norton in Carterton, Oxfordshire. The company delivers the Royal Air Force's Voyager A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) capability under a 27-year Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) contract awarded by the UK Ministry of Defence in 2008, providing air-to-air refuelling, strategic air transport, and aeromedical evacuation through a fleet of 14 Airbus A330-200 aircraft.
The core technology platform is the Airbus A330-200 MRTT — branded Voyager in RAF service — powered by twin Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines and equipped with fly-by-wire controls, dual Military/Civilian Aircraft Register capability, advanced digital vision systems for refuelling, and an upgraded satellite communications node that enables concurrent AAR and airborne C2/ISR tasking. AirTanker operates UK CAA Part CAMO, Part 145 and AOC approvals, holds ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, and maintains purpose-built infrastructure including a two-bay hangar and the Voyager Academy training facility at Brize Norton, plus a secondary crew base at Manchester Airport.
The business model is anchored in the long-duration MOD FSTA contract and layered with secondary revenue: ACMI wet and damp leasing of non-core aircraft to commercial airlines (Thomas Cook historically, Jet2.com currently), the South Atlantic Air Bridge civilian charter service to the Falkland Islands, and post-2022 MRTT support services supplied into the NATO Multinational MRTT Fleet via Airbus Defence and Space. Ownership sits in a two-entity consortium structure — AirTanker Limited (Airbus, Thales, Equitix) holds the 14-aircraft fleet, while AirTanker Services Limited (Airbus, Babcock, Rolls-Royce, Thales) operates and maintains it — creating deep structural lock-in to both the MOD and the OEM ecosystem.
AirTanker firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AirTanker
- Legal name
- AirTanker Services Limited
- Website
- https://airtanker.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- AirTanker is a private UK aviation services consortium that operates the RAF's 14-aircraft Voyager A330 MRTT fleet under a 27-year Ministry of Defence contract, providing air-to-air refuelling, strategic transport and aeromedical evacuation, with secondary ACMI leasing and NATO MRTT support revenue.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AirTanker industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Military Aviation Services
- NAICS
- Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812), Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation (481212), Support Activities for Air Transportation (4881)
- SIC
- Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)
- akta.pro primary industry
- ACMI / Wet-Lease Cargo Operators (THABAEAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Crew & Offshore / Oil & Gas Personnel Charter Operators (THABADAI), Air Medical Transport (Helicopter/Fixed-Wing) (HLAFANAD), Charter Air Freight Forwarding (Full/Part Charter, ACMI Brokerage) (TLACAAAC)
Keywords
Where AirTanker is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Carterton
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
AirTanker business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- FSTA MOD Contract: 27-year contract with UK Ministry of Defence (signed 2008) to deliver and support 14 MRTT aircraft to the Royal Air Force. Provides core revenue through government defence procurement.
- ACMI Leasing: Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (wet lease) and Aircraft with flight crew only (damp lease) to airline customers. Non-core fleet of 5 aircraft available for commercial leasing when not required by RAF.
- Civil Charter Operations: South Atlantic Air Bridge service between UK and Falkland Islands. Passenger and freight services on civilian-configured A330 aircraft.
- MMF Support Services: Support services contract with Airbus Defence and Space for Multinational MRTT Fleet, providing engine support, pod support and maintenance services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | FSTA MOD Contract - 27-year defence contract |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
AirTanker product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AirTanker operates a 14-aircraft fleet of Airbus A330-200 Voyager Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, delivering air-to-air refuelling, strategic air transport, and aeromedical evacuation to the UK Royal Air Force under the 27-year Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) contract. Beyond the core MOD mission, AirTanker provides ACMI wet/damp leasing to commercial airlines, civil charter services including the South Atlantic Air Bridge, EASA Part CAMO and Part 145 maintenance, and training through the Voyager Academy.
Product overview
AirTanker is a flexible aviation service provider operating as a consortium (AirTanker Limited and AirTanker Services Limited) delivering the Voyager Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) capability to the Royal Air Force. The core product is the Voyager A330-200 aircraft fleet of 14 aircraft providing air-to-air refuelling, air transport, and aeromedical evacuation capabilities. Supporting services include comprehensive maintenance (Part CAMO & Part 145), the Voyager Academy state-of-the-art training facility, military flying operations for Nos. 10 & 101 Squadrons, civil ACMI leasing operations, the South Atlantic Air Bridge service, and the Sponsored Reservist Programme. The company holds UK CAA approvals for Air Operator Certificate, Continuing Airworthiness Management, and Maintenance Organisation. Operations span from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Voyager: The Voyager is the brand name for the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft when in RAF service, delivering air-to-air refuelling, air transport and aeromedical capabilities.
- Voyager Academy
Products and services
- Voyager MRTT Aircraft Fleet Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft based on the Airbus A330-200, providing air-to-air refuelling, strategic air transport, and aeromedical evacuation capabilities to the Royal Air Force under the 27-year FSTA contract. Fleet of 14 aircraft: nine core (eight Military Register, one Civil Register for South Atlantic Air Bridge) plus five non-core for civil and military leasing.
- Military Flying Operations Core fleet of nine A330-200 aircraft providing air-to-air refuelling (KC2 two-point wing-pod and KC3 three-point centre-line refuelling), air transport (43 tonnes freight or 291 passengers), and aeromedical evacuation (up to 40 stretchers) in support of RAF Nos. 10 & 101 Squadrons.
- ACMI Leasing Operations Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) leasing operations offering wet lease (aircraft + crew + maintenance + insurance) and damp lease (aircraft + flight crew only) of A330-200 aircraft to commercial airline customers across Europe, North America and beyond.
- South Atlantic Air Bridge Service Scheduled civil aviation service providing the vital passenger and freight connection between the UK and the Falkland Islands, operating over 7,900 miles from RAF Brize Norton via Cape Verde. Aircraft configured with 291 premium economy seats; available exclusively to MOD.
- Aircraft Maintenance Services (Part CAMO & Part 145) Comprehensive aircraft maintenance operation under EASA Part CAMO (Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation) and Part 145 regulations. Covers line maintenance, base maintenance, logistics and stores management, delivered from a purpose-built two-bay hangar at RAF Brize Norton.
- Voyager Academy Training Services State-of-the-art training facility at RAF Brize Norton housing classrooms, lecture theatres, a full-motion simulator including air-to-air refuelling training, and a part-task trainer. Delivers training for pilots, cabin crew, engineers and mission systems operators across the Voyager programme.
- NATO MMF Support Services Support services contract sub-contracted via Airbus Defence and Space to provide engine support, pod support and maintenance for the NATO Multinational MRTT Fleet (MMF), serving six NATO nations (Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway and Czechia).
- Sponsored Reservist Programme Pioneering programme integrating civilian pilots and engineers who serve as RAF Reserves, able to be mobilised for military operations worldwide. Combines civilian and military career paths with deployment opportunities across the Voyager fleet.
Quantifiable outcome
- 98%+ on-time performance comparable to commercial airlines
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use AirTanker
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
AirTanker technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
AirTanker partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor, prime, prime sub-contractor and core.
- SodexominorGlobal food services and facilities management partner supporting on-board recycling initiative. Handles waste segregation and recycling after landing at RAF Brize Norton and Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands.
- AERALISminorMoU signed with UK aircraft developer creating transformative high-performance training aircraft. AirTanker will assess military flying training contracts and defence operational training opportunities. Brings expertise in supporting complex military operating solutions.
- Airbus Defence and SpaceprimeAirbus DS awarded multi-year MMF Follow On Support contract. AirTanker secured work share for engine support, pod support and maintenance services to NATO Multinational MRTT Fleet.
- NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA)primeNSPA manages the Multinational MRTT Fleet on behalf of NATO nations. Fleet owned by NATO, comprising 9 aircraft from 6 nations.
- Eatonprime sub-contractorEaton acquired Cobham Mission Systems in June 2021. Specialist in air-to-air refuelling equipment design and manufacture. Provides on-site repair and maintenance workshop at AirTanker Hub, material support, logistics, and calibration services.
- AirbuscoreAirbus is a global aerospace leader and key shareholder in AirTanker consortium. Delivered 14 A330-200 aircraft through Airbus Military, with conversion to MRTT (Voyager) configuration at Airbus Defence and Space in Getafe, Spain. Provides ongoing support for MRTT fleet.
- ThalescoreThales is a key consortium shareholder providing mission simulators, defensive aids, avionics, mission planning systems, and integrated training services. Supports air transport, ETOPS, and air-to-air refuelling training for both air and ground crews.
- BabcockcoreBabcock provides ground support equipment training, operational software training, infrastructure including purpose-built hangar and operational hub at RAF Brize Norton. Also delivers air programme including aircraft maintenance and airfield support services.
- Rolls-RoycecoreEach RAF Voyager aircraft powered by two Trent 700 engines. Rolls-Royce provides MissionCare availability-based support for propulsion system. Real-time diagnostic support from Operations Centre in Derby.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
AirTanker competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SmartLynx Airlines: European ACMI operator providing wet-lease and charter capacity to airlines across narrowbody and widebody types. Competes with AirTanker's non-core fleet for summer charter and capacity-flexibility contracts.
- Airbus Defence and Space: Manufacturer of the A330 MRTT platform and a key AirTanker consortium shareholder. Airbus DS also contracts AirTanker to support the NATO MMF, making it simultaneously a supplier, partner and adjacent operator in the same tanker ecosystem.
- Omega Air Refueling: US-based provider of contracted aerial refuelling and aviation training services to the US Air Force and allied nations. Closely comparable to AirTanker's AAR-as-a-service model, operating dedicated tanker aircraft under long-term government contracts.
- Hi Fly: Portuguese-headquartered ACMI/wet-lease operator with a widebody A330/A340 fleet serving airlines globally. Directly comparable to AirTanker's civil ACMI/leasing business and a competitor for European damp-lease capacity demand.
- Titan Airways: UK-based charter and ACMI operator with an A320/A321 fleet serving ad-hoc and seasonal airline demand. Comparable as a domestic UK ACMI competitor, though operating a different aircraft class than AirTanker's A330 Voyager.
- WDL Aviation: German ACMI/wet-lease and charter operator flying B737 and B777 freighters/passenger aircraft. Comparable to AirTanker's civil ACMI model serving European airlines on short- and long-term wet-lease arrangements.
Broad incumbents
- Boeing Defense: Competes directly for global strategic tanker programmes via the KC-46 Pegasus, the primary Western alternative to the A330 MRTT. Comparable to AirTanker as a provider of large-aircraft air-to-air refuelling and strategic transport capability to national air forces.
- Babcock International: AirTanker consortium shareholder providing infrastructure, training and aircraft maintenance at RAF Brize Norton. Comparable as a UK defence services incumbent with overlapping MRO, training and airfield support capabilities.
Emerging players
- Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group: UK-based MRO and aerospace engineering company providing military aircraft maintenance, modification and support. Comparable to AirTanker's Part 145/Part CAMO maintenance services and a potential UK MRO peer.
Others
- NATO Multinational MRTT Fleet (MMF): NATO-managed 9-aircraft A330 MRTT fleet operated for six member nations via NSPA. Comparable as a multi-nation MRTT operator and a current AirTanker customer through the Airbus DS support contract.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AirTanker social profiles
Digital presenceAirTanker compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
AirTanker financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AirTanker leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
AirTanker funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AirTanker M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AirTanker
What does AirTanker do?
AirTanker operates a 14-aircraft fleet of Airbus A330-200 Voyager Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, delivering air-to-air refuelling, strategic air transport, and aeromedical evacuation to the UK Royal Air Force under the 27-year Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) contract. Beyond the core MOD mission, AirTanker provides ACMI wet/damp leasing to commercial airlines, civil charter services including the South Atlantic Air Bridge, EASA Part CAMO and Part 145 maintenance, and training through the Voyager Academy.
Is AirTanker a public or private company?
AirTanker is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was AirTanker founded?
AirTanker was founded in 2008. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is AirTanker based?
AirTanker is headquartered in Carterton, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does AirTanker make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. FSTA MOD Contract is the primary driver. The others are ACMI Leasing, civil Charter Operations and MMF Support Services.
Who are AirTanker's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SmartLynx Airlines, Airbus Defence and Space, Omega Air Refueling, Hi Fly, Titan Airways and WDL Aviation. Broad incumbents are Boeing Defense and Babcock International. Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group is listed as an emerging player. NATO Multinational MRTT Fleet (MMF) is listed as an others.
Does AirTanker have an API?
No public API is recorded for AirTanker.
What industry is AirTanker in?
AirTanker's product category is Military Aviation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THABAEAC, ACMI / Wet-Lease Cargo Operators, with a secondary code of THABADAI, Crew & Offshore / Oil & Gas Personnel Charter Operators. Its NAICS code is 4812 and its SIC code is 4522.