A long-established British charter specialist: cargo and passenger charters worldwide and ACMI wet leases. It holds an operating permit for cargo routes to China and, with its Airbus A321P2F converted freighter fleet, can put an international charter in the air for Chinese cargo on demand.
Service provider in China: Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited, handling charter booking, customs declaration and end-to-end logistics for international air cargo, including routes from China to the United States and to every continent.
Titan Airways (IATA code ZT, ICAO code AWC) was founded in 1988 and is headquartered at London Stansted Airport, operating non-scheduled charters worldwide and providing cargo charters and wet leases to airlines, logistics companies, government bodies and international organisations. Its freighters hold worldwide cargo operating permits, including a permit for scheduled cargo routes to China, so Chinese cargo can be chartered as a whole aircraft through a forwarder and flown direct from China to Europe, the Middle East, Africa and other destinations.
Titan Airways is positioned quite differently from scheduled carriers such as Delta or British Airways: it does not sell individual tickets, publishes no fixed timetable and flies to demand. Its core business has three parts. The first is ACMI wet leasing and aircraft sub-leasing, providing other airlines with aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance, with an aircraft repositioned in as little as 60 minutes in an emergency. The second is cargo charters, moving whole planeloads for logistics companies and shippers anywhere in the world. The third is passenger and specialist charters for sporting events, entertainment tours, government and VIP travel. This flexible model gives Titan Airways mobility in closing sudden capacity gaps, flying relief missions and moving special cargo that large scheduled airlines cannot match.
On the cargo side Titan Airways has invested heavily in converted (P2F) aircraft in recent years: in 2021 it was among the first airlines in the world to take the Airbus A321P2F converted freighter, and it now operates new-generation A321P2F freighters with a growing widebody converted fleet. Its freighters fly under a Maltese air operator certificate while it also holds worldwide cargo operating permits, including a permit for scheduled cargo routes to China. The result is that it is qualified to carry cargo from China, and Chinese customers can arrange a whole-aircraft charter or leased capacity through a forwarder to move goods to Europe, the Middle East, Africa and other destinations.
| Airline | Titan Airways |
| Company type | Charter airline (non-scheduled) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Global headquarters | London Stansted Airport |
| Founded | 20 January 1988 |
| Founder and owner | Gene Willson |
| Operating base | London Stansted STN (freighters operate under a Maltese AOC) |
| IATA two-letter code | ZT |
| ICAO three-letter code | AWC |
| Air waybill prefix | 858 |
| Official website | www.titan-airways.com |
| Switchboard | +44 (0)1279 680616 |
| Business / charter | +44 (0)1279 669649 |
| China routes | No scheduled flights; holds a permit for cargo routes to China and charters on demand |
A new-generation Airbus converted freighter with ULD positions on both main deck and lower deck, about 28.3 tonnes of payload and about 207 cubic metres of volume, a benchmark for capacity in its class.
The shipper leases the whole aircraft, which flies the nominated route from China direct to the destination country with no transhipment and slots built to demand; suited to urgent, large and special consignments.
Aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance supplied to airlines and logistics operators to close capacity gaps, with an aircraft repositioned in as little as 60 minutes in an emergency.
Titan holds worldwide cargo operating permits, including a permit for scheduled cargo routes to China, so Chinese cargo rests on a lawful operating basis.
The core point: when cargo cannot wait, cannot be routed around or will not fit, as with emergency relief supplies, oversized equipment, perishable volumes or a sudden extra full consignment, scheduled flights may have no space, while a Titan Airways charter flies one aircraft direct and departs to demand. That is its value.
Compared with scheduled belly space, the difference in a charter is that the aircraft is exclusive: the whole freighter carries only the client's cargo, and loading sequence, temperature requirements and arrival time are agreed between client and carrier. Whole-aircraft carriage suits cargo with high demands on time, security and confidentiality, such as high-value electronics, precision equipment, live animals and urgent spares; the cargo stays under closed control from loading to unloading and the chain of responsibility is clear.
| Aircraft type | Number | Key data and cargo characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Airbus A321-200P2F | About 4 aircraft | Main converted freighter: about 28.3 tonnes payload, about 207 cubic metres of volume, about 2,100 nautical miles (about 3,900 kilometres) of range, with ULD positions on both main and lower deck |
| Airbus A330-300P2F | About 1 aircraft | Widebody converted freighter (new capacity): more payload and range, suited to intercontinental long-haul charters |
| Airbus A321neo(LR) | About 3 aircraft | Long-range narrowbody used mainly for passenger charters, with more than 4,200 nautical miles of range and occasional mixed passenger and cargo work |
| Airbus A321 / A320 | About 4 aircraft | Short and medium-haul passenger aircraft used for European regional passenger charters and sub-leasing |
| Airbus A318 | About 1 aircraft | Small passenger aircraft for flexible small-group and VIP charters |
Note: figures are approximate and drawn from public sources for 2026; the fleet changes with deliveries and retirements and the airline's own information governs.
| Main freighter | Airbus A321P2F (converted) |
| Payload per aircraft | About 28.3 tonnes (A321P2F) |
| Volume per aircraft | About 207 cubic metres |
| Freighter range | About 2,100 nautical miles (about 3,900 kilometres) |
| Freighter fleet size | About 5 aircraft (A321P2F plus A330P2F) |
| Total fleet | About 13 aircraft, including passenger charter types |
| Operating model | Whole-aircraft charters, ACMI wet lease and sub-leasing |
| China cargo permit | Held (one of the worldwide cargo permits) |
Titan began in 1988 with a single Cessna 404 and, after nearly 40 years, now operates about 13 aircraft of which roughly 5 are freighters. The fleet is small but specialised and quick, a strong name in the charter market.
No published scheduled timetableNo scheduled flightsTitan Airways operates entirely on a charter basis, with slots built around client requirements and traffic rights approval, usually fixed a few days to two weeks ahead.
No scheduled route to China; charters can depart from major international airports including Shenzhen Bao'an, Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou Baiyun and Hong Kong, with traffic rights and slots applied for in advanceApplied for as needed, handled by the forwarder or a charter broker.
From the London Stansted base, charters can fly to European countries, the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and elsewhere; destinations and routes are built entirely to client requirements and there is no fixed route list.
Titan Airways works on a made-to-order basis, and charter directions depend on traffic rights approval and aircraft performance:
Note: Titan Airways' main charter markets lie between Europe, Asia and Africa; if the client needsChina to the United Statesair freight to the United States, we can arrange scheduled space with Delta, United and other main China-US carriers, with booking, declaration and end-to-end tracking included.
A note on charters: a whole-aircraft charter is usually quoted one way or return and the positioning cost must be added; if the volume does not fill an aircraft we can consolidate with other shippers to share the cost, or use loose space on a scheduled flight, and we compare the two before recommending.
No fixed schedule: the aircraft moves to the shipper's timetable, and urgent cargo can be quoted the same day and loaded within days without waiting for scheduled space.
The charter flies from China to the destination airport without transhipment, greatly reducing handling steps and the risk of damage or shortage, which improves both security and transit time.
Both the main and lower decks of the A321P2F take ULDs, and with widebody converted capacity the loading plan for oversized, overweight or awkwardly shaped pieces can be built to the cargo, free of passenger belly limits.
Titan's ACMI and sub-leasing work can reposition an aircraft within as little as 60 minutes when an airline faces a sudden capacity gap, and the same responsiveness applies to charters for relief and time-critical cargo.
Titan holds a UK Civil Aviation Authority operating licence, a Maltese freighter operating licence and worldwide cargo permits including a permit for cargo routes to China, so the basis for carrying Chinese cargo by charter is clear and documented.
Clients include major airlines, logistics groups, government bodies, international relief organisations and well-known sports and entertainment teams, a small operator with the best reputation in its field.
When it fits: a Titan charter suits cargo that must move as one batch, direct, at a set time; routine small consignments can use loose space on scheduled flights. The two channels together cover different volume needs.
Charter rates are negotiated per aircraft and route and are usually easier to control and secure than loose space in peak season; for bulk cargo moving in stages, a series of charters, for example one fixed flight a week, can be agreed with the carrier to combine flexibility with stability. For different volumes we compare scheduled space and charter options against budget and transit time, itemising the rate elements and the timing.
| London headquarters | +44 (0)1279 680616 (switchboard) Enterprise House, Stansted Airport, Essex CM24 1RN, UK |
| Business / charter | +44 (0)1279 669649 Email charter@titan-airways.co.uk |
| Dangerous goods contact | ops@titan-airways.co.uk / fax +44 1279 680110 |
| China office | No publicly listed office in ChinaNone available For charter bookings, use a forwarder or charter broker |
| Official website | www.titan-airways.com |
| Air waybill prefix | 858 |
Note: charter work involves traffic rights, slot coordination and contract terms; using a professional forwarder makes the process smoother and the pricing more transparent.
Titan Airways has long provided relief charters for international organisations, NGOs and government bodies and has flown post-disaster emergency, peacekeeping and medical relief missions many times. Its rapid repositioning and global operating experience let emergency supplies move quickly from major Chinese airports to affected areas, making it reliable air capacity in the international relief chain.
Titan provides short, medium and long-term wet lease (ACMI) and dry lease capacity to airlines worldwide, closing a whole-aircraft gap when an aircraft goes technical or peak demand outruns the fleet, with repositioning in as little as 60 minutes. For Chinese airlines and logistics companies, Titan's ACMI capacity is also a reserve for sudden peaks and charter demand.
The Titan freighter fleet carries oversized and awkwardly shaped pieces and properly declared dangerous goods. On a charter the loading plan is built entirely to the cargo, with established procedures for main deck ULD loading, loose cargo securing and lashing of oversized pieces; dangerous goods require documents submitted in advance and notice to Titan's operations department, and we can complete the full declaration. Chinese exports of oversized and special cargo can move as whole-aircraft charters from major Chinese gateways with a load plan built to the cargo.
Titan is a well-known charter provider to sport and entertainment, having flown many leading teams, touring groups and VIPs, and it holds an operating qualification for London City Airport, allowing flights into a city-centre airport. That capability reflects deep experience in slot coordination, ground handling and high service standards, which benefits its cargo clients too. For high-end charter requirements from Chinese clients, we can connect you to Titan's VIP and sports event transport solutions.
Titan has also ordered the Cessna 408 SkyCourier combi aircraft, expected for regional and express work, which will broaden its cargo and express options. All charters and special services are built to client requirements; enquiries are welcome through us.
No scheduled flights: Titan Airways is a charter operator. It does hold a permit for cargo routes to China, so Chinese cargo can move by whole-aircraft charter on demand, with us handling the traffic rights and slot applications.
Shenzhen Bao'an, Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou Baiyun, Hong Kong and other major Chinese international airports can all serve as charter origins, subject to traffic rights approval and aircraft performance. Allow time for rights and slot applications and enquire early.
Titan's main charter markets lie between Europe, Africa and the Middle East, so for China to the United States we recommend scheduled space with Delta, United and other main China-US carriers for stable schedules; we can present both options and arrange either.
An A321P2F carries about 28.3 tonnes and 207 cubic metres, so a charter is more economical once a consignment fills one aircraft's payload; smaller volumes can use loose consolidation or scheduled flights. Charter cost is quoted on aircraft type, route, date and load factor, and we provide the assessment.
A charter normally moves the whole consignment with a clear chain of responsibility, and we follow the key points from booking and aircraft positioning through loading, departure, arrival, clearance and delivery, keeping the client updated; the direct nature of the flight also makes cargo status more visible and controllable.
Yes. On a charter the loading plan is built entirely to the cargo, and oversized pieces, awkward shapes and compliant dangerous goods can all be carried. Dangerous goods require declaration documents in advance and notice to Titan's operations department; contact us 5 to 10 working days ahead.
Charters involve traffic rights, slot coordination and aircraft positioning, so contact us several weeks ahead for an assessment. Even routine emergency charters need time for positioning and documents, and peak periods should be locked earlier.
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited, based in Shenzhen, China, specialises in international air freight from China to the United States and the main markets worldwide. We work closely with Titan Airways and quality carriers such as Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, offering both scheduled space and charter capacity plus one-stop booking, declaration, air carriage, clearance and delivery. Contact us for a quotation and transport plan.
Disclaimer:Prepared by Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited (Goodhope Freight). Airline names, codes and brand marks mentioned here belong to their respective owners, and our company has no affiliation, agency or investment relationship with the airlines described. The information is compiled from public sources for reference only and does not form a contract of carriage or a commitment. Space, rates and schedules are subject to actual confirmation by the carrier or its authorized agent at the time of booking.