UK-based start-up Global Airlines has disabled comments on recent Instagram posts, fueling speculation about the airline’s future.
Industry observers and social media commentators suggest that the airline could be considering a shift from scheduled passenger flights to ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) charters following a troubled launch.
Global Airlines, founded by James Asquith, aimed to revive the “Golden Age of Travel” with its inaugural A380 flight, 9H-GLOBL. However, the aircraft is currently parked in Dresden, with no clear timetable for its return to service.
In the airline’s last official statement on LinkedIn, issued several months ago, Global reflected on operational challenges:
“Our first flight was a bit of a challenge – now, this one is true! It really was. Imagine bringing back an A380 from the desert, navigating extensive maintenance and regulatory requirements, completing a full cabin overhaul, preparing for passengers, and managing catering and crew training. We did everything we could to ensure a perfect experience.”
Aviation expert Pauline Kariuka told Ldn-Post that disabling comments is not surprising. “Tickets for the inaugural flight were only made available less than a month before departure, and there was minimal publicity surrounding it,” she said.
Kariuka also noted issues with ticket sales: “The tickets were sold through a third-party platform rather than Global’s official website, which led to negative feedback from influencers and paying passengers alike.”
At present, Global Airlines has not released an updated timeline for resuming passenger flights, leaving industry analysts and enthusiasts uncertain about the company’s next steps.
