Startup carrier Global Airlines is set to make a high-profile visit to London Gatwick Airport (LGW) on Friday, May 3, as the company continues its preparations for launching long-haul services.
9H-GLOBL On the Move
The aircraft, an Airbus A380, flew from maintenance in Beja, Portugal, to Barcelona on Thursday morning, before continuing on to Berlin under flight number HFM801. The superjumbo is now scheduled to depart Berlin for London Gatwick on Friday, operating as HFM802.
According to the planned schedule, the aircraft is expected to arrive at LGW at 12:00 p.m. local time, with a scheduled off-block time (SOBT) of 1:30 p.m. for its return flight to Beja under call sign HFM803.
Arrival at London Gatwick a First
While on the ground at Gatwick, the aircraft will be handled by Dnata, a ground services provider with experience managing Airbus A380 operations. Dnata currently handles the Emirates A380 at Gatwick and previously supported the Qantas A380 during its short-lived charters program in 2024.
Due to limited A380-compatible infrastructure at Gatwick, the aircraft is expected to be parked on a remote stand. The airport has only one terminal-connected stand capable of accommodating the double-deck aircraft.
Global Airlines, which has attracted attention with its plans to reintroduce the A380 into transatlantic service, is using the aircraft positioning flights to demonstrate operational capabilities and coordinate with airport and ground handling teams ahead of its commercial debut.
The visit to Gatwick marks another milestone for the startup as it continues a series of familiarization flights around Europe.
Will you be be spotting it’s arrival into LGW? Share your pictures with us in the comments below!
