Titan Airways acquires the Satellite Travel Group, seat only charter and ski flight specialist

Tuesday 7th July, 2009

Titan Airways, the UK’s leading VIP charter airline, announced today (6 July) the purchase of the Satellite Travel Group. Satellite Travel Group, based in Sutton, Surrey, has been offering seat only charter flights for over 25 years. The company embraces Satellite Travel, which specialises in summer flights to Preveza in Greece and ski destinations in the winter; Satellite Aviation – one of the biggest providers of air charter capacity to the ski market and Snowjet, a rapidly expanding ski flight operator.

The deal gives Titan, which is marking its 21st birthday this year, a new dimension in its aviation activity and its first direct sales channel. Through STG it will actively sell flights to popular ski airports such as Chambery, the gateway to the French Alps and will be launching some exciting new destinations that will be announced shortly. These will be sold under the Snowjet brand and Titan will this winter operate a number of aircraft in the Snowjet livery.

All of the experienced STG team members in Surrey will be retained and Satellite’s former owner Barry Lewis will stay on as a consultant to assist the new management team. Effective this month, David Lacy, currently a Director at Titan Airways will become Managing Director of Satellite Travel. Two members of the Titan management team, Mike Cooper and Rob Platts will also join the Board of Satellite Travel Group.

Good strategic fit for the business in Titan’s 21st Year – Gene Willson

“We have been looking for some time to acquire a reputable travel company that has the right fit with our expansion plans and Satellite Travel, with its strong focus and experience in the winter ski market is it,” said Titan Airways Managing Director Gene Willson. “The company will benefit with strong financial backing from a financially sound airline and this is a great strategic fit,” he added. While the majority of Snowjet flights will now be operated by the Titan Airways’ jet fleet, the Satellite Travel Group will also work with other airlines, he stressed.

“This year will be a milestone year for us – when we accept our first wide-bodied Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, due to arrive in December this year.” With a maximum range of approximately 6,000nm, the 767-300ER will be capable of long-haul operations (for example London to Denver, or London to Vancouver direct). The aircraft is ETOPs capable and will have just 265 leather seats in a 2/3/2 configuration, featuring individual passenger in-flight audio/visual entertainment.

- Ends -

Editor’s notes:

Titan Airways is an established player in the European charter market, providing a bespoke charter tailored to each client’s demands, catering for individuals or groups from 1 to 204 passengers. Founded by Managing Director Gene Willson in 1988, the airline has grown from a small air taxi operator to one of the most prestigious charter airlines in Europe, employing more than 200 personnel operating 24/7, 365 days a year.

Underlining the airline’s continued growth, last winter Titan operated its busiest ski charter season ever, with Boeing 737 and Boeing 757 aircraft flying to Chambery every weekend on behalf of Crystal Ski, Ski World, Ski Beat, Satellite Travel and Snowjet from Gatwick, Stansted and Birmingham.

Titan’s expanding fleet currently comprises 11 aircraft: four Boeing 737-300s including the new 50-seat all Business Class version; four BAe 146-200s; two Boeing 757-200s and a Beech King Air 350. Several of the aircraft are QC (quick change) enabling utilisation for either passenger or freight transportation. In December the fleet will be joined by a Boeing 767-300ER.

Many leading airlines – legacy carriers and regional airlines - call on Titan to provide instant operational solutions. The airline’s reputation is built on its unique ‘Go Now’ policy, which guarantees that an aircraft can be airborne within 60 minutes of flight confirmation. Titan earned a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2001 for its rapid response services and pioneering use of quick change variants of aircraft. Titan is a worldwide AOC holder for both freight and passenger charters.

Titan Airways employs approximately 220 personnel based mainly at London Stansted.

Titan’s customers include cruise lines, pop groups, blue chip organisations, finance houses, major car companies and tour operators.