Global Airlines takes ownership of 1st aircraft

UK start-up Global Airlines has taken ownership of its first aircraft. Contrary to our earlier posts, the first Airbus A380 for the airline isn't the former 9H-MIP (006) but former China Southern Airlines B-6140. It has been registered as 9H-GLOBL (120) on 2 February 2024 and the registration was applied to the aircraft nine days later.

The A380 was acquired from Jet Midwest and was previously registered as N123KK. It was phased-out by China Southern in November 2022 and has been in storage at Mojave (CA) since 21 December 2022.

Global Airlines is teaming-up with HiFly Malta to operate the aircraft, which is currently being readied at Mojave (CA) for the airline. The plan is to keep the China Southern Airlines configuration but the cabin will receive a refurbishment to reflect the Global-brand.

Once all the tests and touch-ups are completed, the aircraft will be ferried to Europe and the plan is to launch commercial operations later this year.

Photo by James Asquith/Global Airlines