New airline buys first plane as it gets ready for take-off
A NEW airline planning to operate transatlantic flights from London by spring 2024 has bought its first plane.
Global Airlines said it has acquired an Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger jet, and believes it is the first new airline to own one of the double-decker super-jumbos in eight years.
The vast majority of A380s around the world were put into storage at the height of the pandemic, prompting speculation that they would never return to service with the arrival of more fuel-efficient aircraft.
But the model’s ability to carry more passengers than other commercial planes – up to 853 when configured as a single class – means it is making a comeback.
Global Airlines said it bought its plane from German aircraft finance company Doric Aviation, but did not reveal how much it paid.
The company also expects to acquire three more A380s in the coming months.
It intends to begin flying from London to New York and to Los Angeles from next spring.
This will put it in competition with established airlines such as British Airways and Virgin
Atlantic, as well as the low-cost Norwegian carrier Norse Atlantic Airways, which began flying between London Gatwick and New York last August.
Norwegian Air Shuttle also operated transatlantic flights offering low fares but axed its long-haul operations in January 2021 due to heavy losses.
James Asquith, the founder and chief executive of Global Airlines who also created the travel platform Holiday Swap, declared: “Our aspiration is to be the best way to fly and the A380 – with its unmatched levels of space, comfort and service – will be absolutely central to achieving that vision.”
He continued: “The purchase of our first aircraft demonstrates that we are well on the way to launching Global.
“The next step is to overhaul and refit the aircraft to our high specification, providing our customers with the best experience in the sky today.
“Acquiring our aircraft, rather than leasing, showcases our commitment to financial security and resilience from day one.”