New Start - Global Airlines
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More insights from visionary travel guru and grown-up airline CEO James Asquith via Twitter:
🌎✈️ @skynews covering the launch of @globalairlines this morning - I find the Richard Branson comparisons flattering, thank you, but it’s a team, a family and truly AMAZING people behind Global - not just one crazy guy in me thinking that we can, and will, do things better - thanks for the wonderful coverage, and thanks to the couple of ‘expert’ sceptics out there, that don’t own any a380s, have not started an airline, and quite frankly don’t know even a fraction of what we are doing. You’re all more than welcome to ask us though - you all might even learn a thing or two. More than happy to do some live interviews to test how strong the fundamental knowledge is 😄 this is fun! Objective; a great and happy place to work, a far superior product (no one has really done this transatlantic - something Laker/321 Ops comparisons fail to understand), competitive pricing and better offering particularly in traditionally much overlooked Economy, more jobs, and better competition - why would that not be music to everyone’s ears! The journey has been a few years behind the scenes to get here - many aspects that people will never see, but we are still just getting started. Thanks to everyone supporting us! #globalairlines
🌎✈️ @skynews covering the launch of @globalairlines this morning - I find the Richard Branson comparisons flattering, thank you, but it’s a team, a family and truly AMAZING people behind Global - not just one crazy guy in me thinking that we can, and will, do things better - thanks for the wonderful coverage, and thanks to the couple of ‘expert’ sceptics out there, that don’t own any a380s, have not started an airline, and quite frankly don’t know even a fraction of what we are doing. You’re all more than welcome to ask us though - you all might even learn a thing or two. More than happy to do some live interviews to test how strong the fundamental knowledge is 😄 this is fun! Objective; a great and happy place to work, a far superior product (no one has really done this transatlantic - something Laker/321 Ops comparisons fail to understand), competitive pricing and better offering particularly in traditionally much overlooked Economy, more jobs, and better competition - why would that not be music to everyone’s ears! The journey has been a few years behind the scenes to get here - many aspects that people will never see, but we are still just getting started. Thanks to everyone supporting us! #globalairlines
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What I find so amusing is the cult following he has. Countless people without the foggiest idea about aviation egging him on.
This will go down as the worst idea in the history of the Airline Industry but he will have collected a few million in the process
Social Media will give him the spotlight to bounce of and do something else.
If the projects fail, he'll have a bunch of A380s he can use as hotels.
This will go down as the worst idea in the history of the Airline Industry but he will have collected a few million in the process
Social Media will give him the spotlight to bounce of and do something else.
If the projects fail, he'll have a bunch of A380s he can use as hotels.
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His tweets make him seem a bit prickly - obviously people questioning him has got under his skin. He seems unaware of the fact he hasn't actually started an airline yet, just done a few interviews about his idea and bought a few rusting A380s.
If he can't stand a few naysayers at this very early point in his concept then I recommend he toughens up. And fast.
If he can't stand a few naysayers at this very early point in his concept then I recommend he toughens up. And fast.
" I find the Richard Branson comparisons flattering"
says it all......................
" a far superior product (no one has really done this transatlantic - something Laker/321 Ops comparisons fail to understand), competitive pricing and better offering particularly in traditionally much overlooked Economy, "
But it has of course - and they all went bust
says it all......................
" a far superior product (no one has really done this transatlantic - something Laker/321 Ops comparisons fail to understand), competitive pricing and better offering particularly in traditionally much overlooked Economy, "
But it has of course - and they all went bust
short flights long nights
They must be dreaming. It’s just not viable.
What a joke this guy is - he was born in 1988 ( same year as Jason unsworth ) so he is 35 ish. How does someone of this age get their hands on the minimum of £100m of cash this airline will need to launch ? He is totally not credible
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To do what he is saying he is going to do, he’s going to need far more than £100m.
I'm sure he started by talking about a much improved business class product; now, apparently, it's all about everybody who turns right when they board...
Paxing All Over The World
I saw the Twitter comments following some PR photos from the wannabee exec. The comments are as criticial as they are in here and then some folks 'wishing him luck! When even established carriers could not make a go of the Atlantic (BD for example) I find it hard to believe that anyone would lend money on such an idea. Certainly not now that the world is moving into a recession that will probably be GLOBAL...
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Great Twitter thread on the challenges of starting an airline from scratch:
https://twitter.com/jttsteve/status/...9nzZ0zwTbRWkkw
https://twitter.com/jttsteve/status/...9nzZ0zwTbRWkkw
In and amongst that link I read John Walton's excellent summary of the (apparent) problem that Asquith has with the J seats on the first of his A380s. Seems that if he ever wants to operate that aircraft, he's gonna have to rip em all out first and put it something else to please the regulators. Maybe that was his plan anyway? He keeps claiming his hobby airline is going to bust paradigms and reach new heights of luxury. But (never mind the money) does he have any clue about how long a new cabin concept / seat certification process would take? John's summary:
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Another insightful article: PaxEx.Aero | The Business of Passenger Experience
(If the link has moved, search for headline: Global Airlines pitch deck delivers questionable claims, fuzzy financials in advance of A380 fleet launch
(If the link has moved, search for headline: Global Airlines pitch deck delivers questionable claims, fuzzy financials in advance of A380 fleet launch
Scourge of Bad Airline Management!
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Another insightful article: PaxEx.Aero | The Business of Passenger Experience
(If the link has moved, search for headline: Global Airlines pitch deck delivers questionable claims, fuzzy financials in advance of A380 fleet launch
(If the link has moved, search for headline: Global Airlines pitch deck delivers questionable claims, fuzzy financials in advance of A380 fleet launch
Telling blatant porkies on a document that is clearly designed to be part of a fund raising process - well there’s a word for that as well. Illegal.
When I started raising funds for airlines yonks ago, it was drummed into me that any claim you make - in writing or verbally - must be verifiable. If it isn’t, you are wide open to a legal case. The example I was given was - “if you wish the audience a good morning, make sure you have a watch and the weather forecast’.
Global is a fantasist’s fever dream, that will become a train wreck. And if they carry on down this path, a legal minefield.
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Referring to an earlier news release: Matthew Brown to become Shareholder and Advisor at Global Airlines on Future Investment Strategy
Seems Mr. Brown has an interesting background in aviation: Virgin Orbit's collapse raises questions about Matthew Brown (qz.com)
Worth reading entire article - from claims about a mysterious helicopter accident, up to 'Curious edits on the Virgin Orbit Wikipedia page'
Global say 'The appointment of Matthew Brown marks yet another strategic move by the airline, following a series of significant appointments, with further high-profile hires from the United States anticipated in the coming weeks.' Let's watch how that pans out...
Seems Mr. Brown has an interesting background in aviation: Virgin Orbit's collapse raises questions about Matthew Brown (qz.com)
Worth reading entire article - from claims about a mysterious helicopter accident, up to 'Curious edits on the Virgin Orbit Wikipedia page'
Global say 'The appointment of Matthew Brown marks yet another strategic move by the airline, following a series of significant appointments, with further high-profile hires from the United States anticipated in the coming weeks.' Let's watch how that pans out...
Last edited by GrimeySky; 21st Jul 2023 at 08:52. Reason: missed ref
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And a Reuters report on Mr. Brown, with link to a YouTube interview:
Insight: Virgin Orbit's would-be white knight and a $200 million rescue that fell flat | Reuters
Seems that with cap and beard he fits the Global Airlines corporate look?
Insight: Virgin Orbit's would-be white knight and a $200 million rescue that fell flat | Reuters
Seems that with cap and beard he fits the Global Airlines corporate look?
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Referring to an earlier news release: Matthew Brown to become Shareholder and Advisor at Global Airlines on Future Investment Strategy
Seems Mr. Brown has an interesting background in aviation: Virgin Orbit's collapse raises questions about Matthew Brown (qz.com)
Worth reading entire article - from claims about a mysterious helicopter accident, up to 'Curious edits on the Virgin Orbit Wikipedia page'
Global say 'The appointment of Matthew Brown marks yet another strategic move by the airline, following a series of significant appointments, with further high-profile hires from the United States anticipated in the coming weeks.' Let's watch how that pans out...
Seems Mr. Brown has an interesting background in aviation: Virgin Orbit's collapse raises questions about Matthew Brown (qz.com)
Worth reading entire article - from claims about a mysterious helicopter accident, up to 'Curious edits on the Virgin Orbit Wikipedia page'
Global say 'The appointment of Matthew Brown marks yet another strategic move by the airline, following a series of significant appointments, with further high-profile hires from the United States anticipated in the coming weeks.' Let's watch how that pans out...
Last edited by TartinTon; 22nd Jul 2023 at 12:15.
Paxing All Over The World
From PaxEx.Aero
I am so enjoying watching this. Much more fun to watch it from the start, than simply hear about it when it all stops. If they are inflating their balance sheet - then there are several legal actions that can be brought.
A key claim made in the investor pitch is that the company will be able to acquire A380s for its fleet at pennies on the dollar. The low CapEx enables the company to “remove the 27% depreciation and 19% interest costs” from its budget.
Once acquired, the planes will undergo a full interior retrofit. Global Airlines expects to fly with five classes of service on board. On top of the traditional First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy class cabins the company intends to add a new 15-seat “Gamer Class” option for passengers to play while in flight.
This full retrofit is expected to cost just under $4 million. That number is dramatically lower than typical industry costs for a full cabin retrofit with new seats. It is unclear how the company arrived at this number. Perhaps it is possible with used equipment, but that is counter to what the company is pitching.
The most impressive claim, however, comes as the company converts these aircraft from inexpensive acquisitions to top-dollar assets. An aircraft that cost just $8 million to acquire and retrofit is, by Global’s reasoning, fairly valued at $60 million in its balance sheet. The company offers zero justification for this appreciation in the value of the aircraft. It also appears to drop their value to just $15 million as the fleet grows to 90 frames. Again, no explanation is offered for this dramatic shift.
It does, however, claim to have backing for $50 million in loans, backed by three aircraft. There is no indication that the loan was ever drawn, mostly because until just a few weeks ago the company did not own three planes.
Once acquired, the planes will undergo a full interior retrofit. Global Airlines expects to fly with five classes of service on board. On top of the traditional First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy class cabins the company intends to add a new 15-seat “Gamer Class” option for passengers to play while in flight.
This full retrofit is expected to cost just under $4 million. That number is dramatically lower than typical industry costs for a full cabin retrofit with new seats. It is unclear how the company arrived at this number. Perhaps it is possible with used equipment, but that is counter to what the company is pitching.
The most impressive claim, however, comes as the company converts these aircraft from inexpensive acquisitions to top-dollar assets. An aircraft that cost just $8 million to acquire and retrofit is, by Global’s reasoning, fairly valued at $60 million in its balance sheet. The company offers zero justification for this appreciation in the value of the aircraft. It also appears to drop their value to just $15 million as the fleet grows to 90 frames. Again, no explanation is offered for this dramatic shift.
It does, however, claim to have backing for $50 million in loans, backed by three aircraft. There is no indication that the loan was ever drawn, mostly because until just a few weeks ago the company did not own three planes.
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Global now claims to have hired a former LCY staff, Liam Mckay, who was previously Director of Corporate Affairs (Communications & Media, Government & Media, Policy and ESG).
It earlier hired Richard Stephenson, a former Communications Director from UK Civil Aviation Authority. It really seems to be keen on people with Communications experience...
Maybe these guys can fix the appalling grammar on Global's website.
Personally I think they need to get someone in with network development experience as those A380s are going to bankrupt Global's investors if they can't fill them...
Looking forward to how they will improve throughput at airport security and how they propose to do ground handling differently!
It earlier hired Richard Stephenson, a former Communications Director from UK Civil Aviation Authority. It really seems to be keen on people with Communications experience...
Maybe these guys can fix the appalling grammar on Global's website.
Personally I think they need to get someone in with network development experience as those A380s are going to bankrupt Global's investors if they can't fill them...
Looking forward to how they will improve throughput at airport security and how they propose to do ground handling differently!
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Pathetic really - Routes is definitely NOT an authority - this is just an extract from the participant list at a conference, with text provided by the participants and republished verbatim. Who does he think he's fooling?
Cannot believe that Asquith doesn't recognise his own shoddy corporate copy (which reads as if it is AI-generated!) -- in which case this is just ego-massaging.
But if he does really believe that this is an AvWeek endorsement of his non-existent airline (?!) - then he's plainly even more stupid than evidence has so far indicated.