August 30, 2018 marks a day when Kenya yet again hosted a top dignitary in the person of Britain Prime Minister Theresa May who landed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 6:30 am from Nigeria boarding a chartered Royal Air Force Voyager.
Well while most Kenyans will be focused on how PM May's visit may have a great boost for
the Kenyan economy since she will hold talks with President Uhuru Kenyatta and later issue a joint press conference, my focus shifts to the amazing Royal Air Force Voyager that flew in the Prime Minister of the Brits 30 years later since the last one visited.
The Voyager is the RAF’s sole air-to-air refueling (AAR) tanker and also operates as a strategic air transport. The aircraft is in service as the Voyager KC.Mk 2, equipped with two underwing pods for refueling fast jets, and as the Voyager KC.Mk 3, with an additional centerline hose for use by large aircraft.
The magnificent airbus has a seating design that has 58 seats that would allow it transport large business delegations and It is refitted at a cost of £10 million to provide transport for ministers and members of the Royal Family.
The aircraft allows for protected conversations that cannot be intercepted.
It has two pilots who are supported by a cabin crew. The VIP area has spacious reclining seats with curtains to create a makeshift cabin a personal light and a table.Finally, the plane is fitted with a seating area for Press and TV crews and a missile warning system yet it has no weapons.
