A UK start-up airline has acquired an Airbus A380 superjumbo and plans to start transatlantic flights from London next year.
Global Airlines bought the giant double decker aircraft from German aircraft finance company Doric Aviation.
The carrier plans to add a further three A380s ahead of a planned introduction of flights in spring 2024, with destinations said to include New York and Los Angeles.
The acquisition of the A380 was made at an undisclosed price, understood to be in the eight-figure range, demonstrating a dedication to acquiring top-quality assets and investing in its future success, according to a company statement.
The airline is expected to formally launch this summer and to outline in detail its passenger proposition, a number of “unique industry partnerships”, as well as future route network and growth aspirations.
The company said it is already making progress in adding more A380s, with three more acquisitions expected to join the fleet in the coming months.
Many A380s were mothballed during the pandemic but have returned to service with airlines such as Emirates and Singapore Airlines.
Global Airlines founder and chief executive James Asquith (pictured), who also created online travel platform Holiday Swap in 2017, said: “Our aspiration is to be the best way to fly, and the A380, with its unmatched levels of space, comfort, and service, will be absolutely central to achieving that vision.
“The purchase of our first aircraft demonstrates that we are well on the way to launching Global. The next step is to overhaul and refit the aircraft to our high specification, providing our customers with the best experience in the sky today.
“Acquiring our aircraft rather than leasing showcases our commitment to financial security and resilience from day one.”
An A380 features on the Global Airlines website but no further details are provided other than a tag-line: ‘The best way to fly’.
No information is yet available about the funding of the carrier, whether it has applied for operating licences, what London airport it will fly from or the fares it will charge.
Global Airlines believes it is the first new airline to own one of the giant aircraft in eight years.
Doric managing partner Sibylle Paehler said: “We are delighted to have worked with James and the team on the acquisition of their first Global Airlines aircraft.
“Contrary to popular belief, the A380 is widely recognised as the best way to fly, offering unparalleled comfort and features that lead to a unique travel experience.
“We are proud to have placed this beautiful modern aircraft with a new airline that will soon take to the skies.
“We are confident that Global Airlines will acquire more A380 aircraft in the near future.”
The emergence of the new airline came as Norse Atlantic Airways started serving Orlando and Fort Lauderdale from Gatwick.