The Voyager Programme has taken another significant stride forward towards delivery of core capability of nine aircraft by Mid-2014 with the arrival of Voyager 03 into Brize Norton on 19 December.

The Voyager Programme has taken another significant stride
forward towards delivery of core capability of nine aircraft by
Mid-2014 with the arrival of Voyager 03 into Brize Norton on 19
December.
The third Voyager aircraft to fly into AirTanker's operational
hub in 2012, it will join the Voyager fleet on the Military
Aircraft Register.
Phill Blundell, CEO AirTanker, said: "Following the introduction
of our air transport service in April this year, the Voyager
programme is now entering an exciting delivery phase with the
arrival of Voyager 02 and Voyager 03. Deliveries will continue into
2013 with three more aircraft due in the first half of the
year.
"We look forward to working closely with the MOD and our
partners throughout the coming year to deliver new operational
flexibility to the RAF to support it and the wider UK military in
safeguarding British and its partner interest around the
globe."
With an expectation of release to the MOD early in the New Year,
Voyager 03 comes less than a month after the arrival of Voyager
02.
Voyager 02 will be flown and operated by AirTanker, using its
own pilots, supported by AirTanker cabin crew on the Civilian
Aircraft Register in support of MOD tasking.
AirTanker successfully demonstrated its full service capability
to the Civil Aviation Authority in a proving flight to Reykjavik on
13 December to secure its Air Operating Certificate (AOC).
Blundell continued: "Despite some challenging operating
conditions, Voyager 02 successfully completed its CAA proving
flight in December. It represents a significant stride forward both
in terms of the programme and in the additional capability and
importantly flexibility that access to a dedicated Civilian
Registered Aircraft gives to the RAF."
The AirTanker/Voyager programme continues to deliver some
positive statistics following entry into service in April
2012.
Since then it has flown more than 320 times carrying more than
16,000 passengers, in excess of 1,101,500 kgs of cargo and clocked
more than 1,140 hours.
Against this activity operational figures for the year to date,
show an aircraft availability of 96%, while AirTanker achieved an
on time performance (OTP) of almost 98%.
Blundell added: "Our operational levels of service are
comparable to that of any commercial airline. It is illustrative of
how through an innovative partnership and a unique delivery
programme Voyager is not only delivering capability but critically
increasingly flexible capability, to the RAF."
Ends
For further information please contact:
Greg Alan Caires, APR (Washington DC, USA)
Vice President, Media Relations, Cobham plc
Tel +1 703 414 5310
Fax:+1 703 414 5305
John Warren
Corporate communications manager, AirTanker Consortium
Tel +441993873102
Mobile +447718 117050
Email john.warren@airtanker.co.uk
Notes to editors:
Agreed in March 2008, the Voyager programme represents a new
model for the procurement of large capital and infrastructure
projects and the services to support them.
It constitutes the supply of a core fleet of nine Voyager A330
aircraft (with optional additional capability rights on a further
five aircraft) which will provide a state-of-the-art air-to-air
refuelling, air transport and aero-medical evacuation capability,
plus associated service and support infrastructure over a 24 year
contract period up until 2035.
This is delivered by a pioneering mixed-manning programme that
embeds RAF personnel alongside Sponsored Reservists and civilian
staff, to deliver a safe, reliable and efficient service to UK
military forces.
AirTanker, the consortium behind Voyager, is made up of leading
aerospace, defence and facilities management specialists, Cobham,
EADS, Rolls-Royce, Thales and Babcock. They also form its primary
supply chain.