Global Airlines finally reveals why its lone Airbus A380 has been grounded for 139 days

Global Airlines launched in 2023 with plans to offer transatlantic flights on an Airbus A380 fleet.

That same year, the airline startup announced it had bought its very first A380. 

At the time, Global said it was the first new airline to buy one in eight years.

“Acquiring our aircraft rather than leasing showcases our commitment to financial security and resilience from day one,” Global Airlines CEO and founder James Asquith said. 

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Why the Airbus A380 has been grounded

Back in May this year, Global Airlines operated its very first flight. 

Its sole A380, 9H-GLOBL, took off from Glasgow to New York in May and returned a day later. 

The plane then went on a second return flight, this time from Manchester in the UK to New York, a few days later.

However, since then, 9H-GLOBL has been out of action. 

In July, it was reported that the plane had been grounded at Tarbes Airport in France, where it’s been ever since. 

Tarbes is the largest aircraft storage facility in Europe, and is typically used for long-term storage. 

But Global Airlines CEO said at the time that wouldn’t be the case for 9H-GLOBL, saying it ‘won’t be long before it’s in the clouds again’. 

Now, after spending almost 150 days at Tarbes, Asquith has given an update. 

He told Simply Flying that 9H-GLOBL was due to undertake a major 12-year check, sometimes known as a D-check, and that these things can take time. 

“We’re privy to huge backlogs in heavy maintenance slots for the aircraft,” he told the publication. 

“You’ll be hearing pretty shortly about the next movements for 9H-GLOBL. 

“As much as I wish I could snap my fingers and conduct 12-year checks on an A380, we’re only privy to what the industry allows us to do.”

Global has unveiled a new plane in its fleet, and it’s not an A380

Despite launching with plans to build a fleet of Airbus A380 aircraft, it seems Global Airlines is branching out. 

In an update on Instagram, the airlines shared images of a new plane – an Airbus A340-300. 

The plane, which is registered as 9H-SUN, is owned and operated by Hi Fly and has been kitted out with Global’s signature blue-and-white livery. 

Asquith recently hinted at a move from an all-A380 fleet, telling Simply Flying that the airline was ‘looking at other aircraft types as well’.

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