Is startup airline Global Airlines planning to move launch-plans to the Airbus A340? Questions have begun circulating since a Hi-Fly Airbus A340 appeared with a ‘rebranding’, in an interesting operational turn of events. We take a look at the facts we do know…
Global Airlines Move to Hi-Fly Airbus A340 in Recent Announcement
It would appear as though Global Airlines is preparing a shift to operate a Hi Fly Airbus A340-300, after images showing the aircraft retaining its signature blue-and-white livery but now prominently displaying the ‘Global Airlines’ titles along the fuselage in a surprise social media announcement from airline Founder and CEO, James Asquith.
Hi Fly, a respected specialist in A330 and A340 operations, leases the 25-year-old aircraft, registered 9H-SUN, to carriers around the world for ad-hoc requirements. Its long service history has prompted some observers to question why this particular jet was selected.
With Global Airlines’ A380 (9H-GLOBL) currently undergoing maintenance, the carrier’s sudden move to deploy an A340-300 has generated significant interest among passengers and aviation enthusiasts, who are keen to understand the rationale behind the choice.
In an interview earlier this week, Global Airlines CEO James Asquith simply said:
“We’re focusing on the important details within our control to deliver a better experience.”
Asquith shared a video on LinkedIn celebrating Global Airlines’ efforts to become a respected airline and to continue standing firm on their ‘relentless’ efforts ‘behind the scenes’ to get the current fleet back in action.
He claims that the A380 maintenance is due to MRO delay’s and that the team are taking their time to get the aircraft back into the sky, whilst introducing the Hi-Fly A340 in an unexpected announcement.
“We are working on the building blocks as a company to fly more, sometimes you have to work hard and keep quiet which we don’t always like” shares Asquith.
Whilst concrete information has surfaced on the A380 airframe 9H-GLOBL, little is yet to be said in this interesting turn of events. Is this simply a PR stunt, or a shift of operational planning? With Global Airlines, only time will tell.
