Charter Spotlight: Titan Aviation
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Air Charter Guide recently spoke with James Coak, Vice President of Titan Aviation. Titan Aviation was established in 2004 by a team of aviation professionals, headed by Sakeer Sheik. Since then, the company has evolved into a leading aviation service provider with multiple locations across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific.
1) Charter travelers tips and know-how – how do you guide a customer through the process?
Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, a private charter flight gives flexibility unmatched by commercial flights. Passengers on private jets can fly from smaller regional airports closer to their homes. Some airports even allow you to take your car right up to the aircraft. The process is quite simple, but to ensure our clients know exactly what to do when traveling, we send them a detailed itinerary. This includes the flight schedules, FBO locations, contacts at the airport, crew details and our 24/7 company contacts. Our Sales and Ops teams monitor everything. We set up a WhatsApp group dedicated to every flight we carry out. This allows live communication with the client and ensures they have everything they need and more.
2) How would you describe your fleet or flagship aircraft?
Titan Aviation has a mixed fleet of aircraft available worldwide, with key bases in UAE, India, Indonesia and the USA. We even have aircraft in Turkey and West Africa. Our fleet includes all aircraft categories, from helicopters and light jets to VIP airliners. As you will see in the air charter guide listings, many of these aircraft are available for charter. The fleet is constantly growing, with a Gulfstream G200 and Gulfstream GIVSP joining us in Dubai before the end of 2024.
3) What does the future look like for your company?
Titan Aviation's main focus is aircraft management. We currently manage 22 aircraft globally. With the ability to offer aircraft registration under San Marino (T7), FAA (N), Cayman (VP) and India (VT), we truly offer global options for aircraft management. We have a dedicated team for business development in this area. As of 2024, although continuing to head charter sales for Titan Aviation, I will also be growing aircraft management opportunities in the Middle East and Asia, which I am very excited about. We have a bright future at Titan Aviation and a great leader in Captain Sakeer, who spearheads our growth.
4) How did you get into aviation?
In my early 20's I had been working in Telecom Sales in Australia and the UK but decided I wanted to move into a field that I felt more passionate about. With a close link to the Royal Air Force, where my father served as an officer for 20 years, aircraft had always been something I was interested in. When an opportunity arose to work with one of the leading aircraft brokers in London, I applied and got the position. This included training in their operations hub in Ostend and flying on cargo aircraft as a flight manager all over Europe and Africa. It gave me an understanding of what happens operationally in aviation, which in turn has helped my sales abilities. After this initial training, I began my sales journey in cargo charter sales and, within a few years, moved to private jet charter. I have never looked back and I love my career in this wonderful industry.
5) What is your most popular itinerary/destination?
The great thing about charter is that every day is a different day, and although there are lots of similar requests for the obvious routes between major hubs, my favorite trips are the ones that get you thinking a bit more. Perhaps a new airport where we have not operated before or a war risk environment where we have to consult with our safety team. I love a challenge and something that is out of the norm.
However, if I were to charter a private jet, I would prefer to fly to an exotic destination. Male and The Seychelles are at the top of my list. So far, I have only been on short familiarisation flights, but maybe one day I will fulfill my dream of chartering my own jet.
6) Do you specialize in ambulance or cargo?
We do not offer cargo or high-risk patient medevac trips, but we do get involved in medical tourism. For example, people traveling for medical treatment in a foreign country where the need for a fully equipped medevac aircraft is not required, but the customers still want to travel in comfort, perhaps with their doctor or family.
7) Fun stories or narratives to share:
In the UK, there's a phrase "He/She could sell sand to the Arabs," meaning they could sell anything to anyone. As mentioned before, I started as a cargo flight manager and accompanied cargo to various destinations. This included transporting anything from car parts, horses, luxury cars and even 5-day-old chickens. Imagine my surprise when I was told we would be taking sand from Europe to Arabia. I actually thought my Ops team was winding me up. But, yes, someone had finally sold sand to the Arabs and I was the one transporting it. As it happens, we transported 10 tonnes of high silica content sand, which is used for glass making, on a 3-hour trip from Italy to Cairo. I will always remember that trip.
8) Contact Info:
TITAN AVIATION L.L.C.
SUITE #501
BUSINESS POINT BLDG., PORT SAEED
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates
Tel: 971 54 367 4803 and 971 52 214 8572
Email: charter@titanaviation.aero
http://www.titanaviation.aero