Titan Airways says that its recently acquired Airbus A320-233 will be Cat3B approved in time for its first winter of service, based at London Stansted. Landing in low visibility Cat3B weather conditions is made possible by developments in aircraft automatic control systems, together with stringent requirements for airfield equipment and crew qualification. The approval process has been designed to ensure a maximum level of safety and assesses the capabilities of carrier and aircraft, as well as the flight crew. Successful approval allows the A320 to land – at adequately equipped airfields – in visibility reduced to just 75 metres.

“Although, in terms of equipment and training, there is significant cost attached to attaining CATIIIB approval, it will further enhance the reliability to our customers on which we pride ourselves,” says commercial director of Titan, Alastair Kiernan.

“The additional qualification is especially good news for our winter flight operation, which includes a busy schedule of charter flights operated on behalf of a number of UK-based ski companies.”

Titan's Airbus A320 joined the carrier's 12-strong fleet in the spring and has been fulfilling an airline sub-charter role on behalf of Jet2.com this summer. For the period of the contract with Jet2.com, the aircraft has been based in Newcastle. The company says it is scheduled to return to its Stansted base in mid-September, at which point it will be back on the market for ACMI lease, tour operator series flights and ad hoc charter.