Do I detect sour grapes or an air of "Bah! Humbug!" from a couple of posters.
I think the MoD contract will be the mainstay ACMI work for the next couple of years generating stacks of cash, Air India may want 'PT for another 6 months also generating stacks of cash, so when 'OD comes back from Air Calin, if there's no more immediate ACMI, I imagine 'OD will probably operate the 1x weekly SFB service over the winter school holidays & be a spare for any 'hanger time' that 'PT & 'FG may need & be generally available for any ad hocs or ACMI.
'JM will probably fly the majority of SFB's, operate as a reserve aircraft for the 737 fleet while 'OD does the peak period SFB's & be generally available for any ad hocs or ACMI.
Mathy, I've asked our Op's for some Perf figures but I'm not too sure about your 177 Tonne (approx) limit for BZZ. Even so, we could depart at Max ZFM(130 Tonnes) & 5 hours of fuel + Res & tech stop in the Canaries & still be well inside your 177 Tonne limit. Alternatively, 90T Op Weight, 27T Payload (your figures) & 'squeeze' 60T of fuel on- enough for at least 10 hours of flying. I can't see your problem.
