UK airline subcharter operator Titan Airways is gearing up for the 1 December launch of its new business aviation offshoot Titan Airways Executive.

The inauguration will come just ahead of the planned delivery of a Embraer Legacy 650 - Titan's first managed aircraft and the first of the large-cabin types to be based in the UK.

"We are dipping our toe in the water," says Titan's commercial director Alistair Kiernan. "Business aircraft management is new to us, so too is the operation of traditional business aircraft. But we are confident that we can make an impact in this market, given our 22 years heritage, which gives customers the reassurance that they are backed by a profitable major airline."

Titan operates a fleet of airliners including four BAe 146-200s, four Boeing 737-300s, a 757-200 and a 767-300. A Beechcraft King Air is used mainly for crew transport and aircraft on ground missions. "While most of the aircraft are equipped in high-density configuration [for airline passengers] a 44-seat 737 and a 70- to 98-seat 757 can be adapted for business aircraft charter. We are also considering adding a second 757 if demand is strong enough," says Kiernan.

The Legacy 650 - believed to be owned by UK businessman and television personality Lord Alan Sugar - will kick-start Titan Executive's business aircraft management offering. "We hope to attract a lot of interest in the Legacy 650 from the charter market as people are drawn to new types. We are marketing the aircraft worldwide and through this push we hope to attract new management customers."

Source: Flight International