EUR20BILLION TAKE-OFF

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Jun 25, 2006 | by JULIAN BROUWER

A TINY Irish airline is taking on the big boys in the race to land a $20 BILLION contract with the American Air Force.

Dublin-based Omega Air says it can save the USAF a fortune by buying up old DC10s and modifying them so they can refuel fighter planes in mid-air. They plan to fly them with their own pilots.

Omega Air currently refuels aircraft for the US Navy, using a Boeing 707.

Omega is competing with heavyweights Boeing and Airbus, but its proposal is thought to be far cheaper than the others.

But some doubt that privately-owned planes will meet the USAF's strict requirements.

US-based defence analyst Loren Thompson said: "The Air Force believes that it needs absolute control over a large fleet of aerial refuelling tankers. Imagine the possibility of private pilots refusing to fly into hostile areas."

Boeing has complained that its rivals are getting unfair subsidies from their governments, and have called for a "level playing field" for the bidding process.

A decision on which airline will win the lucrative contract is expected to be made next year.