Global Airlines has taken a significant step towards launching its commercial operations by sending its first Airbus A380 for heavy maintenance. The aircraft, registered as 9H-GLOBL under Hi Fly Malta’s air operator’s certificate (AOC), embarked on a journey from Scotland to Germany, marking a milestone in the airline’s preparations for future flights.

Flight to Germany for Heavy Maintenance

The Airbus A380, part of Global Airlines’ fleet, departed Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) at 11:29 local time (UTC+1) and landed at Dresden Airport (DRS) in Germany at 14:49 local time (UTC+2). This flight was tracked by Flightradar24, showcasing the quad-engine jet’s safe landing in Dresden, where it will undergo essential heavy maintenance.

Notably, a Bombardier Challenger 604, also registered under Hi Fly Malta as 9H-MIR, accompanied the A380. The smaller jet departed from Prestwick and landed in Dresden just minutes earlier, at 14:33.

Upon arrival, the A380 will undergo mandatory inspections, component replacements, and extensive maintenance at Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW), a joint venture between Airbus and ST Engineering. Global Airlines has signed an agreement with EFW to ensure that all necessary maintenance tasks are carried out meticulously. This partnership marks a significant step forward in the airline’s journey toward launching its commercial operations, originally planned for 2024 but now slated for 2025.

A Milestone for Global Airlines

The maintenance program signifies the result of months of hard work for Global Airlines. The carrier expressed its excitement in a statement, calling it a “momentous” occasion. “Today is the result of many months of hard work. Seeing this aircraft begin all necessary maintenance, mandatory inspections, and component replacements at EFW’s prestigious facilities is momentous for us,” the airline said. This marks another major milestone as the airline continues to prepare for its 2025 launch.

James Asquith, the CEO and founder of Global Airlines, emphasized the importance of this step in advancing the airline’s partnerships, team, and operational readiness. He noted that overcoming several hurdles over the past year has brought the airline closer to its goal. “Our partnership with EFW is the latest giant leap forward,” he said.

EFW’s Return to Servicing A380s

For EFW, this collaboration with Global Airlines signals the company’s return to providing maintenance services for the A380. The company had previously ceased its A380 maintenance operations but is now expanding these services, with plans to accommodate more A380s from 2025 onwards. EFW’s CEO, Jordi Boto, expressed excitement about reestablishing their maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities for the A380. “We look forward to supporting our new customer, Global Airlines, with its first A380 and seeing more aircraft of this type back in the sky,” Boto said.

The agreement with Global Airlines, signed on September 23, 2024, is part of EFW’s larger plan to return to servicing the double-decker aircraft. The company has also received MRO orders from other customers and aims to expand its A380 maintenance activities significantly in the coming years.

The Journey of 9H-GLOBL

The A380, now owned by Global Airlines, was previously operated by China Southern Airlines. After being retired, the aircraft was stored at Mojave Air & Space Port (MHV) from December 2022 to April 2023. On May 1, 2024, the aircraft made a long journey from California to Scotland, flying with its landing gear down. Upon arrival, it remained parked at Glasgow Prestwick Airport until its recent departure for Dresden.

The revival of this aircraft is part of a broader trend, as airlines worldwide have begun returning their A380s to service. The pandemic had led to the retirement or storage of many A380s, but rising travel demand and delays in aircraft deliveries from both Airbus and Boeing have prompted airlines to bring these aircraft back into operation.

Global Airlines and the Future of A380s

As the aviation industry recovers from the pandemic, more airlines are looking to bring their A380s back into service. Lufthansa, for example, recently ferried an A380 registered as D-AIMB from Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) following heavy maintenance. This aircraft had spent the summer in Manila and returned to Germany on September 30, signaling its readiness for future operations.