In a new development, Global Airlines and Lisbon-based charter operator Hi Fly have signed an agreement to work together on the development and maintenance of the four Airbus A380 aircraft the new UK start-up airline has agreed to acquire.
Hi Fly, who were the first to operate the A380 in the secondary market, will use their extensive experience of the aircraft, to work with Global to preparing it for entry to service.
The short-term focus for both organisations will be the EIS and Return to Service (RTS) processes for Global’s first aircraft, expected to commence in the months ahead.
However, both companies will explore further ways to broaden their collaboration, united by their common interest in the super jumbo aircraft, and a shared belief in its enduring potential and appeal.
Global Airlines CEO comments
James Asquith, CEO and Founder of Global Airlines said: “This announcement has been a long time in the making, and I’ve said from the start, we at Global want to work with the best, most experienced partners, and Hi Fly are exactly that.
“The great news for us is that the team at Hi Fly know the A380 inside-out and will be invaluable in helping us with their industry knowledge around the maintenance and technical acceptance required for our first aircraft – all crucial steps before work begins on introducing our new interiors and other vital elements of the Global service and passenger proposition.
“We’re proud to be working with Hi Fly and I place no limits on the potential of this collaboration.”
Hi Fly CEO Comments
Antonios Efthymiou, CEO and Accountable Manager for Hi Fly said: “As soon as James and his team announced Global to the world, we were delighted to be part of the continued A380 revival.
“Their passion for the A380, and belief in its potential to transform the passenger flying experience, is shared across our organisation, from top to bottom, and it’s clear there are huge synergies between us.
“We are delighted to be able to share our experience with Global, steer the aircraft through the next important technical staging points, and, ultimately, return them to the sky where they belong.”
Hi Fly is a Portuguese charter airline headquartered in Lisbon. It specializes in ACMI wet leasing services to other airlines on a temporary basis.
Hi Fly holds authorisation to operate worldwide, and currently operates 35,000 flights per year for a base of 140 airlines and governments on a global basis.
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