UK transatlantic newcomer Global Airlines has agreed to acquire a trio of giant Airbus A380s to bring its fleet up to four ahead of a planned start of services in spring 2024.
The additional aircraft have been purchased for an undisclosed sum and plans are being developed for their refit and return to service.
Further details about the aircraft, the acquisition and the refurbishment will be published in the coming months, according to the company which has yet to confirm where it will fly from and what destinations are to be served.
Meanwhile, the carrier has appointed former XL Airways chief operating officer Pierre Madrange, an ex-French Air Force pilot, to its advisory board as well as Ian Black, who has worked for a un-named major UK long haul airline for more than 25 years as a senior captain on Airbus and Boeing long-haul aircraft.
They will advise the executive team and work closely with founder and chief executive James Asquith on airline operations management and airline digitalisation.
They join former senior easyJet captain Emma Henderson and ex-Rolls Royce chief customer officer Jacqueline Sutton on the new airline’s advisory board.
The carrier is now focused on working closely with the relevant authorities and partners in preparation for inaugural flights next spring.
Global Airlines says it plans to use its fleet of owned A380 double decker aircraft to “reinvigorate the flying experience, courtesy of the unrivalled spaciousness” offered by the super jumbo.
Asquith, who created online travel platform Holiday Swap in 2017, said: “We extend our warmest welcome to both Ian and Pierre to the Global Airlines’ advisory board, where they will work closely with our team.
“It is a real testament to the progress we are making that we continue to appoint senior and experienced people to our advisory board. I believe we must have one of the most experienced teams of aviation professionals coming together to launch Global Airlines.
“We are also delighted to announce that we have agreed the purchase of a further three A380s to join the Global fleet. As I’ve always said, the A380 is the best aircraft in the sky, and we will continue to look for further acquisition opportunities.”
Madrange added: “James is putting together a great team and I want to use my unique aviation network as well as my experience in the industry to help the airline do something new and exciting. A product that passengers will not only want to fly, but also an airline that aviation professionals from around the world will want to work for.”
Black said: “Aviation is in my blood and joining the advisory board was an opportunity too good to turn down.
“For any airline, safety is the number one priority and Global will be no different. That commitment to safety is driven by not just the flight crew and cabin crews but every team member of Global Airlines, having a robust and open flight safety culture from the get-gois paramount.