UK startup airline hopes to run A380 flight from Scotland in future

The A380 aircraft arrived at Glasgow Prestwick Airport back in May after its first transatlantic and transcontinental flights from Mojave Air & Space Port in California via Montreal.

Founded by entrepreneur, James Asquith in 2021, Global Airlines aims to begin operations from London to New York City and Los Angeles in 2025, using a fleet of four Airbus A380s.

Produced by Airbus, the Airbus A380 is the world’s largest passenger airliner and the only full-length double-deck jet airliner. 

READ MORE: UK startup airline debuts its first A380 in Scotland

The arrival at Prestwick marked the first time an Airbus A380 has landed at the nationalised airport. The flight garnered significant interest online, with thousands tracking its journey on flight tracking site Flightradar24.

Global Airlines took full ownership of the A380, formerly operated by China Southern Airlines, in February this year. Prior to that, it was withdrawn from use and ferried to Mojave in late 2022. 

While at Prestwick, the aircraft underwent a livery overhaul, with Airbourne Colours – Europe’s only privately-owned aircraft painting specialists in commercial and corporate aircraft painting, repainting and refinishing – completing the initial phase of the new livery identity.

The company, which employs more than 150 people at its sites at East Midlands, Exeter and Teesside airport, posted: “Airbourne Colours recently completed the initial phase of a new livery identity on Global Airlines first Airbus A380. 

“Our skilled team worked tirelessly at Glasgow Prestwick Airport to bring this aircraft to life with the application of the Global Airlines name.

Global Airlines’ first fully-owned A380 aircraft departing Glasgow Prestwick on Friday (Image: Eddie Wallace)

“We look forward to working with the Global Airlines team on the next chapter of this fantastic journey.”

With the work completed, the A380 departed Prestwick for Dresden on Friday, where it will undergo heavy maintenance at Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW), a joint venture between Airbus and ST Engineering.

The maintenance includes mandatory inspections and component replacements, before the aircraft will be repositioned for an interior overhaul.

Ahead of the required maintenance, the flight was operated with the gear down, resulting in slower speeds and lower altitudes.

Global Airlines took to social media following the departure, posting: “Today we witnessed the Global name, emblazoned upon 9H-GLOBL, soaring through the clouds for the first time as she departed Glasgow Prestwick International.

“She has now landed safely at EFW Headquarters in Dresden and will soon begin a new chapter in her progress towards commercial flying.

READ MORE: Airline new flights from Scottish airport to ‘magnificent’ country

“Seeing the Global Airlines brand in the sky today was a significant milestone and an emotional moment for the whole team.

“Our Founder & CEO, James Asquith was in Dresden to hand her over to the excellent team at EFW. Thank you to the hundreds of people who have played their part in making this happen and getting us to the next stage. The journey continues.”

While the startup aims to launch Airbus A380 operations from London to New York City and Los Angeles, The Herald can reveal that Global Airlines hopes it will have the opportunity to run a flight from Scotland in the future. 

Richard Stephenson, director of Global Airlines, told The Herald: “Our first A380 arrived at Prestwick Airport on 1 May. It’s been well cared for in Scotland and we would like to thank everyone who played their part in its journey to this point.

“We are getting closer to launching our commercial flights and we hope it will not be long before a Global Airlines A380 is back in Scotland.”

The airline’s mission is to take passengers back to the “Golden Age of Travel, reinvigorating the onboard experience with elevated service and products across all three cabins: First, Business and Global Traveller”. 

In June, Global announced a new strategic partnership with tech-focused global law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe as it prepares for the next stage of growth.

Orrick has partnered with Global as a strategic legal advisor to support the airlines investment strategy and capital raises. Global said that the next phase of growth includes “hiring of key senior roles, investing in the return to service of 9H-GLOBL, as well as advancing plans to fully acquire further aircraft”. 

Commenting on the partnership with Orrick, Global Airlines CEO and Founder James Asquith said: “Since our flight across the Atlantic, appetite from large funds and institutional investors has never been higher and Orrick is well placed to support us as we build for the future.”

Meanwhile, Global Airlines is also progressing to the final designs for the uniforms that crews will wear once flights are operational.