In a surprising twist in the aviation industry, the A380, once falling out of favor, has been given a new lease on life. Despite a recent trend of airlines retiring their A380s due to lack of buyer interest, British startup Global Airlines has stepped in with a bold move.
The Unconventional Choice of Global Airlines
Going against the grain, Global Airlines is betting on the A380 for its intercontinental services, set to launch from London Gatwick in Spring 2024. The airline made its first acquisition of an A380-800 from Doric Asset Finance, showcasing their commitment to resilience and financial security from the get-go.
“We chose to purchase rather than lease the aircraft as it showcases our commitment to financial security and resilience from day one,” stated Chief Executive and Founder of Global Airlines, James Asquith. In a move that demonstrates the company’s progress towards launch, Asquith added, “The purchase of our first aircraft demonstrates that we are well on the way to launching Global.”
Support from Doric Asset Finance
Doric Asset Finance, the German lessor from whom the A380-800 was procured, has seventeen more A380s, primarily placed with Emirates. Expressing confidence in Global Airlines, the lessor’s Managing Partner Sibylle Paehler remarked, “We are proud to have placed this beautiful modern aircraft with a new airline that will soon take to the skies. We are confident that Global Airlines will acquire more A380 aircraft in the near future.”
Revamping the A380
This particular A380-800, initially delivered to Singapore Airlines in 2008, found its way to Hi Fly Malta in 2018, before finally being retired in 2020. Now parked at Lourdes/Tarbes and donning the livery of Global Airlines, this aircraft is all set to start a new chapter in its career.
Global Airlines is planning to refurbish and overhaul this A380 to their high specification, aiming to provide an unparalleled customer experience. The airline also announced that it is looking to acquire another three A380s soon, with each set to carry around 471 passengers, including high-end first-class suites.
Looking to the Future
Although Global Airlines previously hinted at plans to connect Gatwick with long-haul destinations globally, it now intends to initially focus on the transatlantic market. The startup plans to outline its network plans later in 2023, paving the way for a refreshing chapter in the airline industry.
In a time when A380s seemed destined for oblivion, Global Airlines’ unexpected move underlines the potential of this underestimated aircraft and adds an exciting dimension to the aviation industry’s future landscape.
Source: Ch-Aviation
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
