Global Airlines puts its logo on a Hi Fly A340 as the A380’s future remains uncertain

Global Airlines, the British startup founded by James Asquith, surprised observers again by revealing an Airbus A340-300 painted in its logo.

The aircraft, registered 9H-SUN, is operated by the Portuguese company Hi Fly, known for its wet-lease services. Asquith shared the update in a LinkedIn video, but kept quiet about the company’s exact plans from here.

Global Airlines was created around Asquith’s idea of running passenger flights between the United Kingdom and major East Coast cities in the United States using only Airbus A380 jets.

The company received just one aircraft, which completed a handful of special flights to New York from Manchester and Scotland. The jet was recently moved to a maintenance facility, and its next step remains unclear.

Asquith insists the airline is still working to build the fleet it wants before launching scheduled services. He also says the pursuit of the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) continues, although he has often pushed back against criticism aimed at the project’s credibility.

The A340-300 is viewed today as a fuel-hungry and less efficient aircraft. The 9H-SUN unit first entered service in 2000 as F-GTUA with AOM French Airlines and has flown for several operators since then. It currently seats 291 passengers in a two-class layout.

For now, the industry watches and waits. Asquith’s next posts will likely reveal how Global Airlines plans to move forward in the coming months.

About the Author

Ricardo Meier

Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.

Articles by the author »