from MoD:-
Availability of RAF passenger aircraft
A newspaper report claims that the RAF's Tristar passenger jets are overworked, leaving only one to ferry British troops to and from Afghanistan and Iraq. The same report claims that many of the Tristars are either not fitted with the right anti-missile defensive equipment, or are unserviceable.
We maintain our aircraft to the highest standards and priority is always given to those aircraft involved in or supporting operations. There are nine Tristar Aircraft: three carry out Air Transport and six carry out both Air Transport and Air-to-Air Refuelling role. Five of these nine aircraft are fitted with Defensive Aids suitable for carriage of passengers on operations. Of these five, two are required to be available for transport of passengers on operations. Three aircraft are available today, so the bottom line is that the RAF is fulfilling its operational passenger transport commitments.
What about tomorrow then? or next week...