Global Airlines Acquires Former China Southern A380 for Debt-Free Expansion

UK-based Global Airlines has made a significant move in the aviation industry by acquiring full ownership of an Airbus A380-800, previously flown by China Southern Airlines. Announced by the airline’s CEO, James Asquith, this strategic acquisition marks a milestone for the startup, emphasizing its commitment to a debt-free approach to fleet expansion. “Purchasing an aircraft outright without resorting to debt, leases, or financing is a monumental task,” Asquith commented, underlining the benefits of asset ownership for the airline’s long-term strategy.

The aircraft, with a history of 11.37 years under the registration B-6140 (msn 120) with China Southern, was retired and sent to Mojave in late 2022. Global Airlines facilitated the acquisition with the assistance of Kansas-based Jet Midwest, and on February 2, 2024, the Airbus A380 was registered in Malta as 9H-GLOBL. In a temporary arrangement, Hi Fly Malta will manage the A380’s ferry flight in the upcoming weeks, with the destination to be announced soon.

Global Airlines has outlined ambitious plans to deploy the A380 on trans-Atlantic routes, offering a mixed-configuration setup to cater to diverse passenger needs. Despite a slight delay in the airline’s planned debut for the 2024 northern summer season, this acquisition signifies Global’s forward momentum in realizing its operational goals.

Additionally, Global Airlines had previously announced the acquisition of another A380-800, 9H-MIP (msn 6), from Doric Asset Finance. This aircraft, initially part of Singapore Airlines’ fleet and later leased by Hi Fly Malta, was retired in 2020 and has been repainted in Global’s livery, although it remains stored at Lourdes/Tarbes. The latest update from Asquith did not include details on the status of 9H-MIP.

This strategic approach to fleet development, focusing on outright ownership of aircraft, sets Global Airlines apart in the industry, potentially offering a more sustainable and financially stable operational model. As the airline prepares for its upcoming service launch, the aviation community watches closely to see how this unique strategy will unfold and impact Global Airlines’ trajectory in the competitive trans-Atlantic market.