ROUTES - Global Airlines refocuses A380 hopes on Maldives

Global Airlines (London City) has revised its launch plans and will now aim to serve Maldives when it resumes operations. Chief executive James Asquith said the carrier aims to return to service "certainly this year", or before Christmas 2026, after its sole A380-800, 9H-GLOBL (msn 120), completes a heavy maintenance check. The aircraft, operated for Global by Hi Fly Malta, was parked at Dresden after the last of its grand total of four passenger flight in May 2025, before being ferried to Lourdes/Tarbes two months later. Asquith attributed the delay to MRO capacity constraints.

The start-up also plans to acquire another A380-800 to expand transatlantic operations. Global Airlines does not hold an air operator's certificate.

CH Aviation / Photo: Flyingphotos - Beja

 

HYBRIDS cs / FLEET - Hi Fly AirbusA340-300 "Global Airlines" Livery - 9H-SUN

Photo: Flyingphotos
 

FLEET - Global Airlines has unveiled its first Airbus A340-300, registration 9H-SUN.

The A340 retains Hi Fly's standard blue and white livery, with the Global name applied to the upper fuselage and its globe logo on the tail.

Photo: James Asquith / Global Airlines





 

Airbus A380 9H-GLOBL first Check Flight

Hi Fly has performed the first check flight of A380-841, 9H-GLOBL at Mojave Air and Space Port, California, United States. The first sortie revealed an excellent aircraft, and more flights will follow.

“The A380 is a very complex machine, and the wake-up of the giant is a step-by-step process. The aircraft performed beautifully; its flight characteristics are second to no other airliner, and I was delighted to take her up for her first maintenance check flight,” said Commander Carlos Mirpuri.

Hi Fly operated the only A380 ever to be deployed on the ACMI business, and its technical expertise and operational excellence was the reason behind Global Airlines choosing its services for the reactivation of pre-owned A380s that were parked in Mojave Desert Airport, preserved.

 

NEW AIRLINE - Global Airlines to collaborate with Hi Fly

UK start-up has contracted Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) specialist Hi Fly to accelerate the launch of the airline's operations. According to the airline's press-release, "Global Airlines will benefit from Hi Fly's expertise to accelerate the entry into service programme for the airline's new fleet".

Both companies will work together to get the four Airbus A380s acquired by Global ready, leveraging the expertise Hi Fly has had as the first secondary-market user of the A380. Hi Fly is also going to operate the A380 until Global Airlines is able to secure its own Air Operator's Certificate (AOC).

The statement also mentions that both will "explore further ways to broaden their collaboration, united by a passion for the aircraft, and a shared belief in its enduring potential and appeal".

The first Airbus A380 acquired by Global Airlines is former Hi Fly 9H-MIP (006), which has been stored at Tarbes-Lourdes since March 2021. According to the press-release it will be re-registered as 9H-GLOBL. The airframes of the other three A380s is currently unknown.

Global Airlines is planning to use its fleet of A380s to launch flights from London-Gatwick to, initially, Los Angeles (CA) and New York (NY). The ambition is to start flying in Spring 2024.

Photo by Global Airlines.

CH Aviation