As British startup Global Airlines gears up for its inaugural commercial flights, a key milestone was reached when its first Airbus A380 (registration number 9H-GLOBL) was flown from the UK to Germany for final technical preparations. The crew of Hi Fly, a Portuguese charter airline, transported the aircraft from Glasgow Prestwick to Dresden on October 4, 2024, marking a crucial step in Global Airlines’ journey to becoming operational in 2025.
The maintenance work is being carried out by Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), a German company specialized in aircraft services and a joint venture between Airbus and ST Engineering. EFW will conduct extensive technical checks and equipment upgrades on the Airbus A380 to prepare it for its commercial debut.
This move comes after the A380 arrived in the UK on May 1, 2024, from the Mojave desert in California, where it had been stored. Global Airlines, which aims to connect London Gatwick with New York and Los Angeles, has chosen EFW for this critical phase as the airline prepares to begin operations with a fleet of four A380s in 2025.
Commenting on the project, Jordi Boto, CEO of EFW, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to support Global Airlines with their first A380 and look forward to seeing more of this iconic aircraft in the skies.”
Once the maintenance is completed, the aircraft will undergo cabin design and installation, the final step before it is cleared for passenger service.
This is an important development for Global Airlines, which seeks to offer a premium flying experience with its three-class configuration aboard the Airbus A380.