newstodate.aero
Jan 19, 2007 (newstodate): Finnair may consider the acquisition of an unspecified number of Airbus A330 MRTT aircraft.
The considerations are based on a proposal by the Finnish Ministry of Defence that will require the aircraft for troop transports, evacuations in crisis, and relief flight operations.
The ministry would thus lease the aircraft from Finnair when required, but Finnair has insisted that business fundamentals remain the primary justification in this as in all of its projects.
-We are currently working on a modernisation of our long-haul fleet, and we must consider very carefully how we will implement the huge investment that lies ahead. Irrespective of the company's ownership structure, Finnair will act in future for the good of both its Finnish and other customers as each crisis situation demands, just as we have done so previously on our own initiative, says Jukka Hienonen, Finnair president and CEO.
The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) was launched as an flight refueling tanker aircraft based on the A330-200, but can be delivered as a freighter of troop transport aircraft as well.
The Airbus A330 MRTT can lift 300 fully equipped combat troops while also carrying a full load of cargo containers in both the forward and the rear cargo compartment.
The considerations are based on a proposal by the Finnish Ministry of Defence that will require the aircraft for troop transports, evacuations in crisis, and relief flight operations.
The ministry would thus lease the aircraft from Finnair when required, but Finnair has insisted that business fundamentals remain the primary justification in this as in all of its projects.
-We are currently working on a modernisation of our long-haul fleet, and we must consider very carefully how we will implement the huge investment that lies ahead. Irrespective of the company's ownership structure, Finnair will act in future for the good of both its Finnish and other customers as each crisis situation demands, just as we have done so previously on our own initiative, says Jukka Hienonen, Finnair president and CEO.
The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) was launched as an flight refueling tanker aircraft based on the A330-200, but can be delivered as a freighter of troop transport aircraft as well.
The Airbus A330 MRTT can lift 300 fully equipped combat troops while also carrying a full load of cargo containers in both the forward and the rear cargo compartment.