February 16, 2025
Global Airlines A380 Lands in Portugal for Final Maintenance

Global Airlines A380 Lands in Portugal for Final Maintenance

Hi Fly has repositioned Global Airlines' first Airbus A380 9H-GLOBL from Dresden to Beja, Portugal to undergo its final maintenance.
A Global Airlines A380 on the runway in Beja, Portugal.
Photo Credit: Hi Fly

Hi Fly has completed the transportation of Global Airlines’ first Airbus A380-841 from Dresden, Germany, to Beja, Portugal.

Having undergone extensive maintenance in Dresden, the aircraft will now undergo final maintenance actions in Portugal. This moves the UK start-up airline a step closer to becoming operational.

The aircraft, registered as 9H-GLOBL, completed the 1,240 nautical mile journey in just three hours under the command of Hi Fly Group Vice-Chairman Commander Carlos Mirpuri.

Mirpuri’s extensive experience with the aircraft included previous repositioning flights from Mojave Desert Airport to Prestwick and the subsequent transfer to Dresden.

A380 Touchdown in Beja


Upon touchdown in Beja, Commander Mirpuri shared his profound appreciation for the aircraft’s capabilities. “The A380 truly stands as a technological marvel in modern aviation.”

“Its performance is comparable to that of a spaceship. Yet it maintains the responsiveness of a smaller Airbus despite its impressive dimensions. Flying this remarkable aircraft is an absolute pleasure, and I’m particularly excited about its upcoming commercial debut with Global Airlines.”

“This successful transfer represents the culmination of almost two years of meticulous planning. It involves the execution by our combined team of experts from Hi Fly and Global.”

Hi Fly has the distinction of being one of only 15 airlines worldwide to operate the A380. The superjumbo is the largest and most technologically advanced passenger aircraft ever constructed.

This background made Hi Fly the choice for Global Airlines in managing the complex process of reactivating their pre-owned A380s. The journey will take the aircraft from their storage location at Mojave Desert Airport.

Reflecting on this achievement, Global Airlines’ Founder & CEO James Asquith gave comment. “This fifth flight represents a significant milestone in Global Airlines’ journey.”

“The presence of Hi Fly’s highly qualified crew at the controls of our first aircraft perfectly aligns with our unwavering commitment to excellence. As we look ahead to 2025, our collaboration with Hi Fly will continue to strengthen as we prepare to deploy our aircraft on routes worldwide.”

Hi Fly History with the Airbus A380


Hi Fly’s history with the A380 is particularly noteworthy. In 2018, the company became Europe’s fourth and the world’s 14th airline to operate this iconic aircraft.

Their A380, registered as 9H-MIP, gained international recognition. It was known for its role in promoting the Mirpuri Foundation’s “Save the Coral Reefs” campaign.

The aircraft featured a striking dual-sided livery. One side depicted the stark reality of damaged coral reefs in dark blue tones. The other side of the aircraft showcased a vibrant ocean ecosystem teeming with marine life.

During its service period, this unique A380 set remarkable records. It touched down at 53 different airports across 33 countries and four continents.

This achievement established Hi Fly as the industry leader in A380 destination diversity. It ranked first in Europe and second globally for unique landing locations – all accomplished within a brief two-year period.

About Global Airlines


James Asquith founded the British start-up airline in 2021. Based at London Gatwick Airport, the airline aims to redefine luxury air travel. It aims to offering exceptional comfort, personalized passenger service, and an effortless journey for all.

The airline planned to offer a premium travel experience with five classes of service, including a “Gamer class.” This has since been reduced to a more conventional three-class configuration.

The airline has purchased four Airbus A380 aircraft, making it the first new Airbus A380 owner in eight years.

Global Airlines plans to operate long-haul routes between London and major international destinations. These are planned to include New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and Sydney. The airline is expected to begin operations in 2025.

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