By Robert Wall
The AirTanker consortium that includes Airbus Group NV has
signed up its first commercial customer for A330 refueling planes
used by the U.K. military, as Thomas Cook Group PLC (TCG.LN)
Tuesday said it plans to rent one of the jets for transatlantic
flights.
Thomas Cook Airlines will operate the A330 from May on routes
linking Glasgow, Scotland, Manchester, England and London Stansted
with Las Vegas, Orlando and Cancun, the U.K. tour operator and
AirTanker said in a joint statement. The agreement in principal
covers a three-year period.
The U.K. military is acquiring 14 A330 refueling planes that
serve as gas stations in the sky through a complex GBP12 billion
($20.4 billion) public-private partnership agreed to in 2008. Nine
of the aircraft have been delivered to satisfy the U.K.'s core
military demand. The jets already are used to ferry troops between
Afghanistan and the U.K., as well as on other routes.
To maximize its profit, the AirTanker consortium that includes
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (RR.LN), Babcock International Group PLC
(BAB.LN), Cobham PLC (COB.LN) and France's Thales SA (HO.FR), also
need to find commercial operators for some of the planes when they
are not needed by the military. Five aircraft on average are
available for the task, though U.K. military needs have
priority.
"This is a significant milestone and achievement for AirTanker,"
the group's managing director Dave Mitchard said.
Thomas Cook will seat up to 323 passengers in the plane in an
all-economy class layout. The travel company will also second six
captains and four co-pilots to operate the jet alongside AirTanker
civilian pilots.
The agreement "may be extended in the future," said Thomas Cook
Group Airlines Chairman Christoph Debus. A full agreement is
expected "shortly," he said.
AirTanker said all 14 aircraft to the U.K. are due for delivery
by the end of 2016.
The A330 refueling plane also is being acquired by Australia,
Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. India and
France also are in talks for purchases of the refueling plane that
competes with Boeing Co. 767 tankers.
Write to Robert Wall at robert.wall@wsj.com
Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires