AirTanker (9L, Brize Norton) has applied to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for authorization to wet-lease its A330-200, G-VYGK (cn 1498 ), to Thomas Cook Airlines UK (Manchester International) for use on transatlantic flights beginning in May this year.

In its application, the operator says the wet-lease contract will run from May 1, 2015 until January 15, 2018, with the aircraft to be used on flights from Glasgow International, Manchester International and London Stansted to Las Vegas Harry Reid and Orlando International, and from Manchester to Miami International and New York JFK.

Under the terms of the three-year agreement, Air Tanker will operate the aircraft under its civil Air Operator’s Certificate in a 323-seat configuration.

Cabin service will be undertaken by Thomas Cook Airlines, which will also oversee the aircraft's line maintenance. Base maintenance will, however, be undertaken by AirTanker.

In addition, six Thomas Cook Airlines Captains and four First Officers, will be seconded to AirTanker, flying alongside AirTanker’s own civilian pilots.

AirTanker, the company behind the Royal Air Force Voyager (UK Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft) programme, is a consortium made up of various aerospace, defence and facilities management specialists namely Babcock, Cobham, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and Thales.