New Start - Global Airlines

[Buster the Bear]

April 1st come early? https://onemileatatime.com/news/airline-startup-a380/?fbclid=IwAR1cYCHvykF1Y7GQXcoGfS17IieLSUkAlWTWRJJizvgbze-iP0YLIUI0me4

Mind you, my daughter would probably demand to fly Gamer Class, as she is a leading 'streamer' on Twitch (Amazon). She could make money, whilst I have to spend mine! https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t29/1.5/16/1f602.png

[SWBKCB]

“We will innovate through barriers. Our service and product offerings will be unconstrained by aviation paradigms. Our focus is on creating enjoyment at every touchpoint, turning a customer centric approach into the best possible real time experience. We will attain and sustain a reputation as the best airline, by bringing delight to the overall air travel experience from start to finish. Our vision and mission will be enabled by our innovative but careful planning and expertise in operations, investment, acquisition, growth strategies and finance.”

House!! :ok:

[davidjohnson6]

Baltia Air Lines (aka USGlobal Airways) anyone ? Perhaps Family Airlines ? Or maybe Firnas ?

[DaveReidUK]

Obviously genuine.

Here's one of their 3 A380s departing from DXB:

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/512x251/global_a380_8478809bb37e8482f4c2270315120218d9cabe86.jpg


The crowd watching was clearly so impressed, they remained rooted to the spot for the subsequent departure of an Emirates A380:

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/506x312/ek_a380_dxb_1b5ec3c1d11745ced7636a9af3a04df119d36195.png

:O

[CabinCrewe]

due into LCY along with Odyssey….

[Richard Taylor]

Obviously genuine.

Here's one of their 3 A380s departing from DXB:

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/512x251/global_a380_8478809bb37e8482f4c2270315120218d9cabe86.jpg






Appearing in the next forthcoming Airport movie soon.... :}

[DaveReidUK]

Global's arrival at LAX brought traffic to a halt too. :O

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/717x560/global_a380_at_lax_c21ea698d272048dad5f25b59942704b6ed6c151. jpg


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/720x534/ek_a380_lax_b0b2057a93c975a011a452bc9949710595a023ba.jpg

[sangiovese.]

Purchased a 380 apparently for UK to USA…anyone heard about them? 🤷‍♀️

[FUMR]

For what it's worth, try this:

https://www.globalairlines.com/

[DaveReidUK]

For what it's worth, try this:

https://www.globalairlines.com/

A remarkably uninformative website. :O

Latest venture by the founder and CEO of holidayswap.com (http://www.holidayswap.com)

[VickersVicount]

Is this a joke?
Twitter Global Airlines

[Asturias56]

https://www.globalairlines.com/

Nice website - but doesn't say where they're going to fly .............. a Google search brings up:-

https://simpleflying.com/global-airlines-acquired-airbus-a380/

"It plans to conduct transatlantic (https://simpleflying.com/tag/transatlantic/) service from London by the spring of next year. By deploying the A380 to the United States, it will be the first new airline to take on the type outright in eight years. All in all, there has been a positive twist of fate for the aircraft in recent months."

[Buster the Bear]

The owner. https://jasquith.com/#:~:text=James%20Asquith%20is%20a%20British,sovereign%20coun try%20in%20the%20world

[Buster the Bear]

Owner. https://jasquith.com/#:~:text=James%20Asquith%20is%20a%20British,sovereign%20coun try%20in%20the%20world

[WideScreen]

Obviously genuine.

Here's one of their 3 A380s departing from DXB:

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/512x251/global_a380_8478809bb37e8482f4c2270315120218d9cabe86.jpg

Nice to see the wings flex down when the A380 is in the air. Kind of negative gravity or so.

And, where the majority of airlines with an A380 have severe issues fill-up all A380 seats, Global Air does seem to have the luxury of sufficient demand for its product. Demand, being the most challenging aspect for all and every airline, so a prosperous future for Global Air.

For Doric Aviation, this seems to be a good deal, either to get rid of the dead stock. Or, if not sold, but leased, get the lease payments, until Global Air's resources dry up. Flying the A380 is unlikely going to happen, so dead stock that brings in money and does depreciate only a little. Not a bad deal.

[JonnyH]

Nice to see the wings flex down when the A380 is in the air. Kind of negative gravity or so.

And, where the majority of airlines with an A380 have severe issues fill-up all A380 seats, Global Air does seem to have the luxury of sufficient demand for its product. Demand, being the most challenging aspect for all and every airline, so a prosperous future for Global Air.

For Doric Aviation, this seems to be a good deal, either to get rid of the dead stock. Or, if not sold, but leased, get the lease payments, until Global Air's resources dry up. Flying the A380 is unlikely going to happen, so dead stock that brings in money and does depreciate only a little. Not a bad deal.

The aircraft has been bought and not leased.

[crewmeal]

More info coming out.....

https://simpleflying.com/global-airlines-acquired-airbus-a380/?utm_source=SF-DL&utm_medium=newsletter

Courtesy of Simpleflying.com

[rogera]

Wonder whether Jason Unsworth has anything to do with this startup ?

[VLCfkight]

So where is this A380 at present?

[SWBKCB]

Shall we come back when they've got an AOC and the appropriate licences?

[DaveReidUK]

The aircraft has been bought and not leased.

MSN 6, originally with Singapore and most recently HiFly Malta. It's been stored at Lourdes for at least the last couple of years.

[rogera]

Global airlines Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of holiday swap group Ltd. The latter company’s accounts for the year ended 31-12-2021 disclose a substantial share issue just before the year end. I would be interested to see the 31.12.2022 accounts.

[pamann]

Any guesses as to their first route?

I’m going with Manston - Kansas City double daily :ok:

[crewmeal]

Look what happened to Hans Airways. They got their AOC and started training flights on the A330. Then nothing. It all went to the wall because of finances.

[rogera]

Same with UK international airlines, based at EMA. The owner burnt through £5m of cash buying 2 old Boeing 767-200s from United Airlines and managed to launch an EMA to ISB route via Sharjah, but it only lasted a couple of weeks I recall, back in 2007/8. Acquiring and operating 3 Airbus A380 aircraft will require a huge capital investment

[Albert Hall]

An A380 with Global Airlines painted on the side. Sounds like a revival of the 1970s/80s disaster movie Airport! franchise with some latter-day Joe Patroni at the helm.

[laviation]

It does look like something you’d see in a Grand Theft Auto game..

[Asturias56]

"Acquiring and operating 3 Airbus A380 aircraft will require a huge capital investment"

Probably "buying" on deferred terms and he'll probably be paying to make it airworthy again so the owner gets something even if he can't pony up the cash. Operating? Well I suspect he'll have to be paying cash up front for a lot of services - too many people bitten in the past by this sort of start-up.

[Alteagod]

It's such an insane idea it might just work...maybe

[rogera]

100-1 it doesn’t

[Atlantic Explorer]

This, surely, has got April 1st written all over it!!

[Superpilot]

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=Global+Airlines

If I was a gambling man, I would bet that this "outright purchase" is anything but. More of a carefully crafted paper transaction designed to make the lessor look like they're in the pocket and the airline venture look credible. Win win for both. Smoke and mirrors. If I'm wrong, then this 34 year old CEO with no previous aviation experience, a single white elephant of a jet and couple of classic routes is on to a winner!

[dc9-32]

quote
Global Airlines has a registered capital of GBP100 pounds (USD123), fully paid by founder Asquith.
unquote

Spent already getting to the airport !!

[Flightmech]

This is a whole owned subsidiary of Atmosphere Airlines, pilots and cabin crew uniforms by Primark.

[SOPS]

This is a whole owned subsidiary of Atmosphere Airlines, pilots and cabin crew uniforms by Primark.

Please don’t start that off again!!!! 😁😁

[Captivep]

quote
Global Airlines has a registered capital of GBP100 pounds (USD123), fully paid by founder Asquith.
unquote

Spent already getting to the airport !!
Not only that - the original registered address was a retirement apartment in Tonbridge...

[TwinAisle]

Some people on here know what I do for a living. This business plan crossed my desk the other day.

It is just beyond dreadful.

Blatant untruths from beginning to end. Established companies being used as 'strategic partners' when I know for a fact they are not even remotely involved (it can't be long before Global gets rude legal letters). The numbers are just fanciful - put in place by someone who clearly does not have the first clue about airline economics, the cost drivers, the regulations.

One lovely example is that he claims to have an AOC and an operating licence. Without a flying aircraft, that would be up there with that glass of Nazareth tap water that blushed deeply and smelt of Merlot.

I never thought in a million years that I would see a plan more driven by drugs, lunacy and lies than Atmosphere. But ladies and gents - this one has got Unsworth beaten to a pulp.

Another complete and utter joke.

[ATNotts]

Astonishing! It certainly fooled simpleflying.com though.

I'm not sure what that says about their (allegedly) experienced writers!

[willy wombat]

TwinAisle - hope you didn’t sign an NDA before getting the business plan.

[SWBKCB]

One lovely example is that he claims to have an AOC and an operating licence.

So is this a document they are using to seek funding?

[TwinAisle]

TwinAisle - hope you didn’t sign an NDA before getting the business plan.

Absolutely not. If I was asked to now, I’d assume it’s because they were worried a stand-up comedian might want it.

[TwinAisle]

So is this a document they are using to seek funding?

If they are, they are on very thin ice. But frankly it is so bad that no-one would offer them funding anyway.

[cavokblues]

Their website state "We’ve all suffered for far too long with long security queues, late flights, lost luggage..."

Are they going to have their own security queues at the airports? Or never be late? Or ensure airports never lose luggage from some of their pax?

[Asturias56]

Any guesses as to their first route?

I’m going with Manston - Kansas City double daily :ok:

I thought they were going from Doncaster to Chicago Lakeside (Meigs Field) - after all , there is no-one else on that route

[Sharklet_321]

Some people on here know what I do for a living. This business plan crossed my desk the other day.

It is just beyond dreadful.

Blatant untruths from beginning to end. Established companies being used as 'strategic partners' when I know for a fact they are not even remotely involved (it can't be long before Global gets rude legal letters). The numbers are just fanciful - put in place by someone who clearly does not have the first clue about airline economics, the cost drivers, the regulations.

One lovely example is that he claims to have an AOC and an operating licence. Without a flying aircraft, that would be up there with that glass of Nazareth tap water that blushed deeply and smelt of Merlot.

I never thought in a million years that I would see a plan more driven by drugs, lunacy and lies than Atmosphere. But ladies and gents - this one has got Unsworth beaten to a pulp.

Another complete and utter joke.


Well said - this summarises all my feelings on the matter of Global Airlines.

If this get’s any more serious attention from airline based media it’s a failure of our industry as a whole. We all have a duty to uphold regulatory discipline within aviation. The safe carriage of passengers is the first most essential priority of any ‘airline’. Global is an embarrassment and can’t be allowed anymore airtime.

[TwinAisle]

If this get’s any more serious attention from airline based media it’s a failure of our industry as a whole

This. Sharklet_321, chapeau.

It is a damning indictment of the aviation press that this project is being written up, prefaced with anything other than "You are NOT going to believe this ****e". I would love to see it being a rule that people need to work for at least five years in the industry before they are allowed to write about it as an "aviation journalist". Further it is an even more damning indictment of so called airline professionals that they are giving this even a second's worth of attention. I'd force people to work in the business for ten years before they are allowed to 'start' an airline, while telling the rest of us what a bunch of chumps we are.

​​​​​​​The safe carriage of passengers is the first most essential priority of any ‘airline’.

This. Absolutely this.

Anyone who can write a proposal like this, complete bilge about how airline commercials, aeropolitics and financial regulations work shouldn't be allowed to build an Airfix kit, let alone talk about carrying real people on real aircraft. If they don't understand how EU1008 works, they show they have no clue about continuing airworthiness, maintenance, operations, training, and all those other functions that help keep everyone safe.

[DaveReidUK]

Astonishing! It certainly fooled simpleflying.com though.

Alias simplisticflying.com

[ATNotts]

Alias simplisticflying.com
Shame really because amongst the banal and often poorly researched articles there are often a couple of interesting ones to be truffled out.

[TwinAisle]

amongst the banal and often poorly researched articles there are often a couple of interesting ones to be truffled out.

I am approached by perhaps 10 potential start-ups a year - since Covid perhaps twice that. I've taken perhaps four all the way to AOC, OL and operations in the last few years. It is that sort of proportion. The vast majority go straight into the little round filing cabinet, with a polite email to the sender.

[Captivep]

It seems to me that airline startup stories are, initially, treated completely uncritically by trade and general press alike. One only has to remember the two (!) Martin Halstead fairy stories.

[davidjohnson6]

AFAIK, Stelios Haji-Ioannou had not spent 5 or even 10 years working in aviation before starting Easyjet

[TwinAisle]

AFAIK, Stelios Hajioannou had not spent 5 or even 10 years working in aviation before starting Easyjet

No - but he had a team that had. He had a realistic business plan. He had a lot of money. And he didn't tell outrageous porkies in his expositions....

[dc9-32]

and with £100 registered capital, this will go far.......not.

[barry lloyd]

No - but he had a team that had. He had a realistic business plan. He had a lot of money. And he didn't tell outrageous porkies in his expositions....

...not to mention that his father, Loucas Haji-Ioannou, was a Greek-Cypriot shipping entrepreneur - one of the few Greek ship owners whose fleets dominated the global shipping industry for most of the 20th century.

[Asturias56]

and with £100 registered capital, this will go far.......not.

registered capital is just the startup package - each of those shares could, theoretically, be sold to investors for £ 1 mm each.................. and then diluted later

it's not uncommon , especially in unlisted companies.

[Asturias56]

"It is a damning indictment of the aviation press that this project is being written up, "

A worse example is the acres of space given to startups peddling electric air taxis in such venerable publications as "Flight"

Someone pointed out a year back that several such companies featured in recent editions intended to be selling certified aircraft by 2027. In the same edition Gulfstream were talking about a 6 year certification campaign to UPDATE one of their BJ's................

[LGS6753]

OK that's it. I'm starting up my own airline, powered by the brains of Ppruners.
All I've got so far is the name, but it will be coming to your vicinity soon.
It's called Receding Airlines.

...I'll get my coat.

[Asturias56]

HAIRIST!!!!

[Superpilot]

I am gobsmacked at how serious this guy is: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-asquith/recent-activity/all/

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/830x947/screenshot_2023_06_06_162517_5fc475c9e9f53449b35b945a59c149e 4967a0163.png

[CabinCrewe]

Receding Airlines.
And boarded via the hair-stairs

[SOPS]

I am gobsmacked at how serious this guy is: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-asquith/recent-activity/all/

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/830x947/screenshot_2023_06_06_162517_5fc475c9e9f53449b35b945a59c149e 4967a0163.png
I think we have been here before.

[DaveReidUK]

To be fair, the appointment looks genuine, compared to some of Boy Wonder's.

[01475]

All you cynics desperate to talk down a likely future Emirates make me sick :(

This is going to be a fantastic addition to the aviation ecosystem, and I'll urgently be getting in touch with them to discuss potential synergies with my proposal to set up a virtual airline using 19 seater planes hired from people you've never heard of (at least not in a good way) to serve Anglesey, Bambridge, Blackpool, Cambridge, Carlisle, Coventry, Cumbernauld, Doncaster, Gloucester, Oban, Oxford, Plymouth, Prestwick, Sheffield City, Shoreham & Swansea. If my I mean our hub was at an airport served by Global then literally nothing could stop the growth of true British / Worldwide network except finance, practicalities and reality.

Mark my words - in ten years time FlyAlpharcityWhoodwinx3 and Global could be the two biggest airlines in the world!

[davidjohnson6]

01475 - are you drunk ?

[01475]

01475 - are you drunk ?

At last! Someone who takes these kinds of proposals seriously, and who doesn't just write people off as dreaming naive teenagers that are too young to drink!

[Asturias56]

I think 01475 should be seen as the far-sighted expert she/he clearly is - I doubt any form of intoxicating liquor ever touches their lips. He/she will have statues put up to them in future years when we're all travelling by Global to lackpool, Cambridge, Carlisle, Coventry, Cumbernauld, Doncaster, Gloucester, Oban, Oxford etc;)

[Captivep]

I think 01475 should be seen as the far-sighted expert she/he clearly is - I doubt any form of intoxicating liquor ever touches their lips. He/she will have statues put up to them in future years when we're all travelling by Global to lackpool, Cambridge, Carlisle, Coventry, Cumbernauld, Doncaster, Gloucester, Oban, Oxford etc;)
To ensure that success is guaranteed, though, 01475 will need to bring visionaries like Martin Halstead and Jason Unsworth on board.

[cavokblues]

I wonder if his newly appointed advisors will be brave enough to tell him there's a reason nearly every other airline aside from Emirates wants nothing to do with A380s?

Or perhaps the business plan is so outstanding they're convinced he's seen something no one else has?

[GrimeySky]

I wonder if his newly appointed advisors will be brave enough to tell him there's a reason nearly every other airline aside from Emirates wants nothing to do with A380s?

Or perhaps the business plan is so outstanding they're convinced he's seen something no one else has?

But you have to ask yourselves how well informed his 'incredible' advisers are about airline commercials?

Global's chief commercial officer (Richard Stephenson) is a PR man who once worked at the UK CAA. He was director for comms - so not the CE or Chairman. How qualified is he on airline economics? Ever done a comparable job?

Yesterday they trumpeted the appointment of their Commercial Projects Manager. Again, not much of an industry track record to see. Three years ago she was still working Front Desk Admin at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Tel Aviv, according to her LinkedIn. Got the commercial experience to go head to head with established characters on one of the most competitive routes in the world?

Now I'm sure these are smart people, but do they know enough to point out that trying to get an A380 out of mothballs, then secure an AOC, and launch services by spring 2024 - less than a year away - is utterly impossible?

And, as per previous posts, have they asked why airlines that ALREADY have extensive experience with the A380 are returning it to lessors or parking it?

And that's just the commercial side. Ops, regulatory...

It's hard to guess what the game is here - but if it ever takes off (unlikely) it ain't gonna last for long. (Or only as long as they have a patient investor with money to burn).

[Asturias56]

" there's a reason nearly every other airline aside from Emirates wants nothing to do with A380s?"

Tho for airlines that DO own them they were the first back into service post Covid...........

[GrimeySky]

I would be hesitant to make a connection between % of operation restored / speed of operation restored and the ownership of A380s. Local health regulations, strategy and politics have much more to do with an airline's ability to operate, alongside the local economy, and the appetite for travel to and through a hub/state.

Maybe Global will now add a claim that A380 is an anti-COVID talisman alongside their other elaborate claims for their new 'airline'! ;)

[TwinAisle]

The A380 is a really good aircraft for those airlines that understand what it is - and what it isn’t - and operate it accordingly.

It is not a corporate penis extension. It is not an expression of national pride. It is not the aircraft you buy because you aspire to be taken seriously.

What it is is a bloody big aircraft.

So airlines that use it where they need capacity - perhaps without frequency - do well with it. EK. BA….

[01475]

To ensure that success is guaranteed, though, 01475 will need to bring visionaries like Martin Halstead and Jason Unsworth on board.

And Dr Beau W, as consultant in relation to our first hub airport; Manston.

[Asturias56]

And Dr Beau W, as consultant in relation to our first hub airport; Manston.

Oh no.... please God...no................... :ugh:

[SWBKCB]

Perfect synergy - what a launch customer for a revitalised Manston!

[Wycombe]

Tho for airlines that DO own them they were the first back into service post Covid...........

Oh really, like Lufty then who have just returned 1 (of IIRC a fleet of 10) to service after 3 years parked up.
Or some others (like Air France) who aren't returning theirs at all

Or maybe you are pullling our plonkers :rolleyes:

[Less Hair]

Lufty is working to bring back four plus x. Two are operating already to the US east coast. They brought back all A340-600s as well to compensate for delayed 777-9 deliveries.

[LGS6753]

Another potential competitor?
https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airlines-lessors/long-haul-narrowbody-startup-fly-atlantic-eyes-2025-launch?utm_rid=CPEN1000034319080&utm_campaign=38539&utm_medium=email&elq2=507ada307c744cffa3944d496f50d035&utm_emailname=AW_News_AirTransport_20230614&sp_eh=b99317cad14c039891f9e4ef02ab64df4a29132e5d9c8ccd93f632 15920912d5

[Copenhagen]

Where is he going to get the experienced pilots to operate the 380? Which European airport is going to invest in the infrastructure needed for the A380?

Considering Virgin has continually struggled achieve profitably with a strong brand and quality Heathrow slots, and secondary long haul network carriers such as Air Europa in Spain and Air Berlin have not succeeded, I’m struggling to see where this airline can operate profitably. It has to be London or Paris, cities that have strong inbound and outbound demand to fill such an aircraft year-round. Both have strong business, long haul VFR and leisure demand, but are highly competitive.

Other potential mega-catchment areas surrounding Manchester, Düsseldorf or Milan don’t have the inbound demand to fill the A380

Actually, which long haul A380 routes operate successfully without onward connections (London - HKG? Tokyo - Hawaii?)

[GrimeySky]

Where is he going to get the experienced pilots to operate the 380? Which European airport is going to invest in the infrastructure needed for the A380?

Considering Virgin has continually struggled achieve profitably with a strong brand and quality Heathrow slots, and secondary long haul network carriers such as Air Europa in Spain and Air Berlin have not succeeded, I’m struggling to see where this airline can operate profitably. It has to be London or Paris, cities that have strong inbound and outbound demand to fill such an aircraft year-round. Both have strong business, long haul VFR and leisure demand, but are highly competitive.

Other potential mega-catchment areas surrounding Manchester, Düsseldorf or Milan don’t have the inbound demand to fill the A380

Actually, which long haul A380 routes operate successfully without onward connections (London - HKG? Tokyo - Hawaii?)

If he's a UK AOC'd carrier (and I'm doubtful he'll even secure an AOC with the current A380 scheme!) then he won't have access to EU traffic rights to 3rd countries. He could theoretically operate Paris to UK (which I assume is not the suggestion) but he could not operate Paris to [3rd country].

​​​​​​​And if he imagines that he will secure viable interline agreements to suck traffic into Gatwick to fill that empty A380 - he's got a nasty surprise awaiting him.

Self-styled 'travel guru' Asquith (and any investors!) are about to get a harsh lesson in airline economics.

[01475]

I honestly want to make up a joke proposal and see if the same journalists would fall for it. Transatlantic shared air taxi service. Cessna Crusaders flying from every airport in the UK to LA via Stornoway, Akureyi, Ilulissat, Iqaluit, Churchill, ...

I reckon that if it takes off I could built up to a fleet of 300.

[DaveReidUK]

I honestly want to make up a joke proposal and see if the same journalists would fall for it.

Seems highly likely.

[GrimeySky]

CNN:The A380 was nearly extinct. Now a new airline says it’s building a superjumbo-only fleet.
It’s a rare used-market move for an aircraft that passengers adore but that airlines have struggled to turn profitable due to its operating and maintenance cost, as well as its huge size.

“It’s a fantastic aircraft when you use it in the right way and on the right routes,” says Global Airlines CEO James Asquith. “We will be looking to invest significant amounts on refurbishing the A380 we already have and the future ones that we’re looking to bring into the fleet.”

Asquith previously founded Holiday Swap, a home-swapping travel platform which is also Global’s parent company, and he holds the Guinness world record for the youngest person to visit every country in the world.

“I’ve flown on about 280 different airlines and sat there seeing what’s good, what doesn’t work and what can be improved,” he says. “We’ve structured this in a way that financially allows us to do a lot of the exciting things that no new airline that isn’t government-funded has been able to do in the last 40 years.”

[have not included URL - Google the headline for the story, datelined 22JUN]

[Southcote1970]

Remember him strutting around EGTK many times.

[eggc]

3 more A380's aquired taking total to 4 with Spring 24 start date for ops.

[DaveReidUK]

3 more A380's acquired taking total to 4

"with more coming in 2024", according to the website.

[toledoashley]

The A380 is a really good aircraft for those airlines that understand what it is - and what it isn’t - and operate it accordingly.

It is not a corporate penis extension. It is not an expression of national pride. It is not the aircraft you buy because you aspire to be taken seriously.

What it is is a bloody big aircraft.

So airlines that use it where they need capacity - perhaps without frequency - do well with it. EK. BA….

Where it has proved most successful is in big hubs - Dubai, London and to an extent (although diminishing) Singapore - where there is incredibly strong transfer traffic.

[GrimeySky]

I'd suggest that this is perhaps the most significant news from Global - and will determine if it ever moves from being a paper project to a real airline. Certainly without an AOC the spring 2024 launch seems highly dubious. But first, it is going to need cash. Lots of it.

LONDON, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Matthew Brown, a U.S. based investor in the aviation and renewable energy spaces, has today agreed to advise James Asquith, CEO of Global Airlines, as the airline prepares to launch transatlantic services in spring 2024 and considers further aircraft acquisitions.

Brown has advised significant U.S. institutions on clean energy financing. In addition, he holds a number of advisory positions including with the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory (RAEL) at the University of California, Berkeley and the Wind Institute (NWI) at Texas Tech University. He is an activate investor and advisor in the space industry, as well, and through his commitment to sustainable development, he has personally invested over $1B USD toward achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Goals.

[sangiovese.]

These folks are going to burn cash like it’s gone out of fashion. Wrong aircraft before even starting.

[toledoashley]

I think we have been here before.

Note - this is an 'advisory board', not an executive board. There is a clear difference there, even though he makes is out to be quite different.

Twin Aisle - is it not odd that a key investor is one who has invested millions in sustainable UN SDG's. How does that tally with a start-up airline using last-generation tech aircraft which are now third-hand?

[SWBKCB]

Note - this is an 'advisory board', not an executive board. There is a clear difference there, even though he makes is out to be quite different.

Twin Aisle - is it not odd that a key investor is one who has invested millions in sustainable UN SDG's. How does that tally with a start-up airline using last-generation tech aircraft which are now third-hand?

Investor or advisor - has anybody put any money into this rather than putting their hand out for an advisory role?

[crewmeal]

A lot of work ahead if they're to launch in Spring 2024.

1. How many pilots are required for the operation?
2. Again how many cabin crew to hire and train in time who will train them and where?
3. Catering? Ordering all the logo equipment. Setting up contractors where ever they fly to?
4. Ground staff handling at airports.
5. Engineering, that's a big one to sort out.
6. Uniforms?
7. Route structure and base.

I can't think of anything else, but I'm sure those more qualified will add to the list.

[TwinAisle]

A lot of work ahead if they're to launch in Spring 2024.

1. How many pilots are required for the operation?
2. Again how many cabin crew to hire and train in time who will train them and where?
3. Catering? Ordering all the logo equipment. Setting up contractors where ever they fly to?
4. Ground staff handling at airports.
5. Engineering, that's a big one to sort out.
6. Uniforms?
7. Route structure and base.

I can't think of anything else, but I'm sure those more qualified will add to the list.

Before any of this, they need to raise a ****-ton of money, get an AOC and an Operating Licence. Then I add to your list:

CRS
Distribution technology
CCDC processing
Anti-fraud systems
Revenue management systems
Revenue recognition and reconciliation systems
Staff and duty travel systems/policies
CAMO
Operations Control
Maintrol
A finance system
A payroll bureau
Route licences
A call centre
Slots
About a zillion contracts for catering (over and above the equipment you rightly mentioned), ground handling (above and below the wing), technical handling, airports…
Marketing agencies and media buyers
Flight crew training and simulator providers
Paint shops
Fuel contracts
Interior refit specialists (and that interior is going to be millions per aircraft - and may even be tens of millions given the power demands of “gamer class”)

And that’s off the top of my head.

Interesting to see the aircraft is in Lourdes. They’ll need a whole load of miracles.

This is the sort of pie in the sky nonsense that makes Halstead and Unsworth sound rational.

[TwinAisle]

[QUOTE Twin Aisle - is it not odd that a key investor is one who has invested millions in sustainable UN SDG's. How does that tally with a start-up airline using last-generation tech aircraft which are now third-hand?[/QUOTE]

I believe very little that comes out of this operation. If you read this stuff as guff, all else makes sense :)

[cavokblues]

Why are so many people willing to be associated with it as 'advisors?' Surely anyone with even a bit of understanding of this industry will see how difficult it will be for this venture.

[back to Boeing]

I’m sceptical. But im impressed with the CV of the CCO. Lots of relevant experience and a lot of contacts. Including being communications director at the CAA for nearly 6 years.

[nguba]

I remember when BA were looking at leasing 2nd hand Airbus A380s, the cost of retrofitting one aircraft was put at $50 million.

[harriewillem]

Boeing: StartupBoeing (https://www.boeing.com/company/about-bca/startupboeing.page)

I know its Boeing, but here a nice overview for your start up airline ideas..

[TwinAisle]

Boeing: StartupBoeing (https://www.boeing.com/company/about-bca/startupboeing.page)

I know its Boeing, but here a nice overview for your start up airline ideas..

Yeah, that covers about half of their challenges…. Note that Boeing don’t mention commercial systems, CRS, payment processing, finance systems, etc etc etc….

[GrimeySky]

Before any of this, they need to raise a ****-ton of money, get an AOC and an Operating Licence. Then I add to your list:

Interesting to see the aircraft is in Lourdes. They’ll need a whole load of miracles.

This is the sort of pie in the sky nonsense that makes Halstead and Unsworth sound rational.


Spot on! But I think that getting an AOC and a viable operation before summer 2024 might be above even HIS pay grade! :)

[GrimeySky]

I’m sceptical. But im impressed with the CV of the CCO. Lots of relevant experience and a lot of contacts. Including being communications director at the CAA for nearly 6 years.

So the PR guy at a public body. That's a long, long way from the top commercial post in a highly competitive market.

[TwinAisle]

Spot on! But I think that getting an AOC and a viable operation before summer 2024 might be above even HIS pay grade! :)

On the stuff I’ve seen - he claims to have his AOC and OL already. Which tells you all you need to know about him and his “airline”….

[GrimeySky]

On the stuff I’ve seen - he claims to have his AOC and OL already. Which tells you all you need to know about him and his “airline”….

Maybe Asquith just hasn't realised that the CAA actually publish the list of UK AOC holders! :)

[PAXboy]

I can give them one piece of free advice: Start with one aircraft and see how it goes.

OK, two pieces of advice: Don't forget to have a website that is not liable to be hacked, can hold your clients details and money safe and give you control over everything - that means, don't outsource it. Have the people running it sitting in a room where you can reach out and grab them (warmly) by the throat. Also, have the site built ready to interact with your App. You don't have to have that day one but folks will expect it and, again, it will give you more control.

[LGS6753]

Surely all the items mentioned above, and the exhaustive check-lists shown, are further complicated by the fact that this is an A380 operation. An aircraft unlike any other in current operation that requires expertise that is bound to be a rare commodity even amongst the best suppliers.

[VickersVicount]

where are all these A380 equipped stands/gates at suitable slot times, or are they going for the classy remote stand bussing?

[TwinAisle]

where are all these A380 equipped stands/gates at suitable slot times, or are they going for the classy remote stand bussing?

Now that's a very good question. I think he wants LGW as his base - and (I stand to be corrected, ho ho) there is only one 380 stand at LGW - the one that EK use, out on the terminal annex that is connected to the North Terminal by the bridge.

"Dear Sir Tim. Can we use your stand, pretty much 24/7"

"Get stuffed".

TA

[Apron Artist]

Now that's a very good question. I think he wants LGW as his base - and (I stand to be corrected, ho ho) there is only one 380 stand at LGW - the one that EK use, out on the terminal annex that is connected to the North Terminal by the bridge.

"Dear Sir Tim. Can we use your stand, pretty much 24/7"

"Get stuffed".

TA


It's stand 558 now, on Pier 5, but it was stand 110 on Pier 6 over the bridge as you state. Seems the Emirates passengers didn't like the long walk across to Pier 6 and "persuaded" LGW to build a stand closer.

[GrimeySky]

I think anyone looking at Global should perhaps take a step back... it is not an airline. It's not more than an idea.

Allegedly they have bought (?) some A380s.

But they have no AOC.

The mere fact that they are still referring to a 'Spring 2024' launch of services should be evidence enough that they are not serious. There is no way that is going to happen. So why waste too much energy picking apart their 'plans' - because there is obviously little solid behind them.

Sure, they are getting a bit of interest on Social Media - from bloggers and 'influencers' who presumably are angling for a freebie on an inaugural service. There'll be some predictable UK media coverage - the tabloids always love an 'underdog'. But the term innovator (and I predict soon, comparisons with 'the new Richard Branson'!) requires that you have actually ACHIEVED something. Buying some mothballed behemoth from a field in France does not count.

Asquith posts about his 'rockstar team' and their achievements. Yesterday on his 'right hand man' - QUOTE 'a loyal, hardworking and trustworthy innovative, disruptive thinker - mixed with the experience and skill set to match. The rarest of combinations. You like everyone here, make Global Airlines what it is...' UNQUOTE

But what IS Global? What have they so far 'made' Global into?

Nothing. It's not an airline. It's just an idea.

And based on the statements so far ('ops in Spring 2024') anything that they are saying needs to be taken with a large pinch of salt. Because all evidence indicates that they don't really have a clue about running an airline. Yeah, they've hired some ops people. (Every one of them a 'guru' according to Asquith - another overused and generally meaningless term!)

Currently therefore it seems that Global is mainly operating in that most dangerous of areas - where they still don't know what they don't know. (Clue: apparently from their statements, that's a lot!)

[Less Hair]

It sounds more like a virtual airline from Microsoft Flight Simulator than any serious business venture? There is no AOC on the UK registry.

[TwinAisle]

It's stand 558 now, on Pier 5, but it was stand 110 on Pier 6 over the bridge as you state. Seems the Emirates passengers didn't like the long walk across to Pier 6 and "persuaded" LGW to build a stand closer.

Ah I'm indebted to you - every day is a learning day. The last time I did it it was over the bridge, but that was probably seven years ago. Does that mean there are now TWO stands for the 380 at LGW?

Whoo hoo.....

TA

[TwinAisle]

I think anyone looking at Global should perhaps take a step back... it is not an airline. It's not more than an idea.

Allegedly they have bought (?) some A380s.

But they have no AOC.

The mere fact that they are still referring to a 'Spring 2024' launch of services should be evidence enough that they are not serious. There is no way that is going to happen. So why waste too much energy picking apart their 'plans' - because there is obviously little solid behind them.

Sure, they are getting a bit of interest on Social Media - from bloggers and 'influencers' who presumably are angling for a freebie on an inaugural service. There'll be some predictable UK media coverage - the tabloids always love an 'underdog'. But the term innovator (and I predict soon, comparisons with 'the new Richard Branson'!) requires that you have actually ACHIEVED something. Buying some mothballed behemoth from a field in France does not count.

Asquith posts about his 'rockstar team' and their achievements. Yesterday on his 'right hand man' - QUOTE 'a loyal, hardworking and trustworthy innovative, disruptive thinker - mixed with the experience and skill set to match. The rarest of combinations. You like everyone here, make Global Airlines what it is...' UNQUOTE

But what IS Global? What have they so far 'made' Global into?

Nothing. It's not an airline. It's just an idea.

And based on the statements so far ('ops in Spring 2024') anything that they are saying needs to be taken with a large pinch of salt. Because all evidence indicates that they don't really have a clue about running an airline. Yeah, they've hired some ops people. (Every one of them a 'guru' according to Asquith - another overused and generally meaningless term!)

Currently therefore it seems that Global is mainly operating in that most dangerous of areas - where they still don't know what they don't know. (Clue: apparently from their statements, that's a lot!)

A fabulous post, thank you GS. The only thing I would add though is that he is out there trying to raise money on the back of this idea. And that is really really naughty.

[Dannyboy39]

Naughty maybe. But a fool and his money are soon parted.

In all seriousness, personally I think this attempt at starting an airline is almost a bit of a Micky take of our industry. People who don’t know what they’re doing can get seriously hurt in many ways.

[Sotonsean]

Ah I'm indebted to you - every day is a learning day. The last time I did it it was over the bridge, but that was probably seven years ago. Does that mean there are now TWO stands for the 380 at LGW?

Whoo hoo.....

TA

There is only the ONE A380 gate currently at LGW which is as mentioned situated at Gate 558 on Pier 5.

There was a reason why the A380 gate was relocated to Pier 5. And it had nothing to with what has been mentioned by another poster 🤔

The original A380 gate on Pier 6 was relocated to gate 558 on Pier 5 in 2019 as part of a planned extension to Pier 6.

Pier 6 is eventually going to be extended to accommodate up to eight narrow body contact stands.

Construction of the Pier 6 extension was intended to commence in 2020 with completion for 2022.

In March 2020 LGW announced that the Pier 6 extension would be mothballed until 2022.

Preparatory works have already been completed which included the A380 gate being relocated to Pier 5 along with the realignment of the nearby taxiways. Construction of the Pier 6 extension is expected to commence sometime in 2024.

There are literally plenty if not loads of information and images online with the details and images regarding the future Pier 6 extension at LGW.

NATS aircraft docking charts show the area concerned as under construction. Google earth shows the area concerned in great detail.

[Apron Artist]

There is only the ONE A380 gate currently at LGW which is as mentioned situated at Gate 558 on Pier 5.

There was a reason why the A380 gate was relocated to Pier 5. And it had nothing to with what has been mentioned by another poster 🤔

The original A380 gate on Pier 6 was relocated to gate 558 on Pier 5 in 2019 as part of a planned extension to Pier 6.

Pier 6 is eventually going to be extended to accommodate up to eight narrow body contact stands.



Yes, Sotonsean, I should have also mentioned the Pier 6 extension plan as well. It was a win/win for both Emirates and easyJet - easier access for the Emirates passengers and more stands for the big orange. Pier 6 currently already has 8 narrow body contact stands, with stand 102 being widebody - regularly occupied by a TUI Dreamliner.

[dc9-32]

He might want to have a rethink on the company name..........Iraq's Global Airlines secures first aircraft, an A321

[toledoashley]

I think anyone looking at Global should perhaps take a step back... it is not an airline. It's not more than an idea.

Allegedly they have bought (?) some A380s.

But they have no AOC.

The mere fact that they are still referring to a 'Spring 2024' launch of services should be evidence enough that they are not serious. There is no way that is going to happen. So why waste too much energy picking apart their 'plans' - because there is obviously little solid behind them.

Sure, they are getting a bit of interest on Social Media - from bloggers and 'influencers' who presumably are angling for a freebie on an inaugural service. There'll be some predictable UK media coverage - the tabloids always love an 'underdog'. But the term innovator (and I predict soon, comparisons with 'the new Richard Branson'!) requires that you have actually ACHIEVED something. Buying some mothballed behemoth from a field in France does not count.

Asquith posts about his 'rockstar team' and their achievements. Yesterday on his 'right hand man' - QUOTE 'a loyal, hardworking and trustworthy innovative, disruptive thinker - mixed with the experience and skill set to match. The rarest of combinations. You like everyone here, make Global Airlines what it is...' UNQUOTE

But what IS Global? What have they so far 'made' Global into?

Nothing. It's not an airline. It's just an idea.

And based on the statements so far ('ops in Spring 2024') anything that they are saying needs to be taken with a large pinch of salt. Because all evidence indicates that they don't really have a clue about running an airline. Yeah, they've hired some ops people. (Every one of them a 'guru' according to Asquith - another overused and generally meaningless term!)

Currently therefore it seems that Global is mainly operating in that most dangerous of areas - where they still don't know what they don't know. (Clue: apparently from their statements, that's a lot!)


His ‘team’ is also just an ‘advisory panel’, which is quite different from an ‘executive board’ actually in control of what they are doing.

[DaveReidUK]

He might want to have a rethink on the company name..........

Iraq's Global Airlines secures first aircraft, an A321

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x468/n729av_global_airbus_a321_231wl_planespottersnet_1414708_fcc afe509e_o_b376a368e5c72a660fbed0fd91746ff42971b4a7.jpg

https://www.planespotters.net/photo/1414708/n729av-global-airbus-a321-231wl

[Lord Bracken]

OK, two pieces of advice: Don't forget to have a website that is not liable to be hacked, can hold your clients details and money safe and give you control over everything - that means, don't outsource it. Have the people running it sitting in a room where you can reach out and grab them (warmly) by the throat. Also, have the site built ready to interact with your App.

Have you told British Airways this?

[PAXboy]

Heh Heh, Lord Bracken. If you know a sure way to reach the IT Director, please publish it here so that we can all enlighten him {I expect it is a him}

[Smooth Airperator]

He seems to reply to most LinkedIn comments except for those asking him about his AOC and slots.

[TwinAisle]

He seems to reply to most LinkedIn comments except for those asking him about his AOC and slots.

Funny that.... he claims in his plan that he has both his AOC and his OL. For the avoidance of doubt - no flying aircraft means no AOC. No AOC means no OL. No OL means no slots....

TA

[Lord Bracken]

Heh Heh, Lord Bracken. If you know a sure way to reach the IT Director, please publish it here so that we can all enlighten him {I expect it is a him}

They have an IT director!?

[TwinAisle]

They have an IT director!?

Thank you for the best laugh I've had in a while. Just tried to book a flight with BA from London to Cyprus, and the flight it offered was London to Istanbul. Yeesh.... in this part of the world, that's how small wars start :)

[TwinAisle]

A slight back pedalling from SimplisticFlying….

Global Analysis (http://simpleflying.com/global-airlines-plans-analysis/)

But calling this “in depth” is laughable….

Still, at least someone is starting to ask hard but sensible questions….

[sangiovese.]

Rumour is Malev flies it with its A346s.

[dc9-32]

Rumour is Malev flies it with its A346s.

You mean Maleth surely ?

[sangiovese.]

Yes. Darned autocorrect!

[Big Tudor]

Probably as much chance of Malev operating as Global.🤨

[SWBKCB]

How would that work from a licencing point of view?

[GrimeySky]

Probably as much chance of Malev operating as Global.🤨

Totally true!

But Asquith hasn't realised yet.

At some point someone is going to have to sit him down and tell the young man the facts of flight --- the birds, the bees, and the regulatory regime for international air transport.

[TwinAisle]

How would that work from a licencing point of view?

If Global wanted to do this they would do it as effectively a charter. The aircraft would be on the usual operator's AOC and OL. Global would take the ticket risk and would need an ATOL, but not an AOC or an OL. Not that hard tbh.

TA

[SWBKCB]

But an EU AOC between the UK and US?

And who's operating pax A.346's? LH, Mahan and Conviasa?

[TwinAisle]

Both the UK and the EU have separate open sky agreements with the US. But that wouldn't allow a UK carrier to operate say CDG to JFK, or an EU carrier to operate LGW to JFK. It could't even be done as a fifth freedom service, since that isn't allowed between the EU and UK since Brexit.

If an A340 is mandatory (and why would it be?) then it would have to be a UK operator that has one. However, dispensations are possible in very specific circumstances, although these would be unlikely to be long term.

[SWBKCB]

I can't see either the UK or US acceptig ths sort of arrangement other than as a short term measure while a UK AOC is being obtained. Or maybe Mr Stoddard would help out - for a price...

Anyway, bit different from a fleet of A.380's.

[Asturias56]

"Anyway, bit different from a fleet of A.380's"

No - do what Virgin would do - paint "A380- Mini" on the side..........................

[GrimeySky]

More comic capers from Global...

https://www.cityam.com/global-airlines-to-focus-on-business-travel-as-it-muscles-in-on-uk-us-route/

[PAXboy]

As far as I see it I don’t think that anyone’s really offering the complete package to a corporate traveller, who would be going across the pond,” James Asquith, Global Airlines’ CEO, told City A.M.

Really? Given the desperation of carriers {on both sides of the pond} to secure C traffic, he must have his head down a dark passage.
As many have said, this scheme does not even pass the first sanity test.

C traffic is very difficult to tempt away from established carriers. Financially, Europe is not in expansion mode and both the UK and USA are in financial straits. I don't see any European originating traffic choosing to abandon their home country carrier and all the accrued points.

In the late 80s, I was working in the City and our department moved wholesale to VS and their UC. Our boss, an American, admitted that the VS product was considerably better than Pan Am but he had to stay with their mileage to take his family on holiday. I'm not sure much has changed.

[toledoashley]

Really? Given the desperation of carriers {on both sides of the pond} to secure C traffic, he must have his head down a dark passage.
As many have said, this scheme does not even pass the first sanity test.

C traffic is very difficult to tempt away from established carriers. Financially, Europe is not in expansion mode and both the UK and USA are in financial straits. I don't see any European originating traffic choosing to abandon their home country carrier and all the accrued points.

In the late 80s, I was working in the City and our department moved wholesale to VS and their UC. Our boss, an American, admitted that the VS product was considerably better than Pan Am but he had to stay with their mileage to take his family on holiday. I'm not sure much has changed.

I think the amount of ‘burning’ of miles to places like the Caribbean, Maldives and Mauritius shows it’s as rife as ever!

[SWBKCB]

Maybe these are just distraction tactics to divert attention from the real market disrupting idea waiting to be unleashed....

[willy wombat]

Currently getting a lot of coverage on Sky News

[Asturias56]

"But Global – whose emergence onto the transatlantic scene was first reported in City A.M. – believes that offering a more premium product, as well as perks and a loyalty programme, rather than prioritising flight frequency, will be the key to success. “I think that there’s too many offerings at the moment that don’t give the level of service that such a premium route such as London to New York should do for the corporate traveller, the business traveller as well,” he said. “I think that too many incumbents still think it’s [about] frequency.”

Asquith also said that it hopes to offer more “social space” on its aircrafts, in a bid to appeal to the City’s corporate customers. “If I’m coming out of the office and going on a red eye flight to connect between the two, personally, one day I might want to go straight to sleep, the next I might want to have a meal and do some work on my laptop… And then another one, I might want to go and socialise,” he said.

The airline is set to launch its first flight in 2024, flying between London and New York, with an eye on a route to Los Angeles after that."

got to give him marks for getting the publicity - but

[willy wombat]

Glad to see Sky also reporting a healthy amount of scepticism from Simon Calder and others.

[barry lloyd]

Does anyone remember La Compagnie, a French-based outfit, that for a while operated between LTN and EWR? This was a 757 with lie-back seats 2x2 in an all-C config, with female cabin staff in hot pants (ca 2015). They also briefly operated a similar service to DXB. The aircraft had 74 seats, but on most occasions, I doubt if more than 50% of them were filled. They still exist, but only operate from Paris these days and have an interline agreement with easyJet, which is surely one of the biggest extremes in the business.
Their route from Luton did not last long, despite the inducements, including the fact that it was competitively priced.

[runway30]

There is nothing wrong with using a £100 company to start a small business, it is how most small businesses start and there is nothing wrong with ambition. But to start an airline, that’s a joke. Let’s say £2m. to get an AOC and another £100m. to get an OL plus the cost of the aircraft. I don’t know how you buy an A380 using a £100 dormant company. Until he shows a balance sheet with several hundred million available this is a waste of time and all of the media interest is misguided unless they are hoping to build a story for when it all comes crashing down.

[Less Hair]

The problem starts whenever all these modern day one hit wonders get enough naive coverage and five minute internet fame to lure innocent investors to give them money with no chance to ever see it again. This is where I see some responsibility of the people reporting about it to not just vent hot air claims.

[runway30]

It’s lazy journalism, not bothering to do any sort of hard questioning into the difficulty of starting an airline and the validity of this particular project. The only balance was saying that the idea was being questioned by aviation experts. Any student of airline economics could probably tell you why this idea can’t work even if it was properly funded. There are very good reasons why those a380s are sitting around unwanted.

[Less Hair]

The way I see it they picked the A380 only to grab the headlines for cheap (surprisingly at least this worked). The A380 makes zero business sense to them except to lure investors into whatever they have in mind.

[rkenyon]

Does anyone remember La Compagnie, a French-based outfit, that for a while operated between LTN and EWR? This was a 757 with lie-back seats 2x2 in an all-C config, with female cabin staff in hot pants (ca 2015). They also briefly operated a similar service to DXB. The aircraft had 74 seats, but on most occasions, I doubt if more than 50% of them were filled. They still exist, but only operate from Paris these days and have an interline agreement with easyJet, which is surely one of the biggest extremes in the business.
Their route from Luton did not last long, despite the inducements, including the fact that it was competitively priced.

I believe it was Silverjet that started the DXB route (as well as their LTN-EWR route). I flew it back in 2008. It was very good - but was never going to last long.

[SOPS]

I believe it was Silverjet that started the DXB route (as well as their LTN-EWR route). I flew it back in 2008. It was very good - but was never going to last long.

There was Silverjet…and there was another one too. I can’t remember the name.

[SWBKCB]

MaxJet?

[SOPS]

That’s it, and I think there was EOS…but I’m not sure. just checked…yes there was EOS.

[barry lloyd]

I believe it was Silverjet that started the DXB route (as well as their LTN-EWR route). I flew it back in 2008. It was very good - but was never going to last long.
Yes, Silverjet started the LTN-EWR route in 2006 and lasted until 2008. La Compagnie started the route in April 2015. It lasted until September 2016. La Compagnie is still operating, but not into the UK.
From Wiki: (my bold) In March 2020, La Compagnie announced it would suspend its commercial operations as of the 18th of that month due to the COVID-19 pandemic (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic). Commercial operations were initially expected to resume on 1 June 2020, but were subsequently postponed several times.[17] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Compagnie#cite_note-17) During the suspensions, the airline received a total of €20 million in governmental loans, provided some ad-hoc charter services, and operated a limited number of flights for the December 2020 holiday season.

[crewmeal]

Sky did an interview with James Asquith this morning. Here is an account:

Interview with James Asquith (https://news.sky.com/story/instagrammer-and-entrepreneur-james-asquith-buys-up-second-hand-a380-planes-to-start-worlds-newest-airline-12921651)

[GrimeySky]

There is nothing wrong with using a £100 company to start a small business, it is how most small businesses start and there is nothing wrong with ambition. But to start an airline, that’s a joke. Let’s say £2m. to get an AOC and another £100m. to get an OL plus the cost of the aircraft. I don’t know how you buy an A380 using a £100 dormant company. Until he shows a balance sheet with several hundred million available this is a waste of time and all of the media interest is misguided unless they are hoping to build a story for when it all comes crashing down.

Agree. There's nothing wrong with ambition. But it's misleading to tell the media, public, and potential investors that the airline will start to operate scheduled in spring 2024. If anyone at Global understands the process, they must know that is not possible. Whereas if there's absolutely nobody there that understand the process, that's arguably more worrying.

[Asturias56]

yeah but even Flight publishes all sorts of stories about people building eco taxi aircraft that will be certified in 2024 and be in world wide service by 2025.

Guess they have ot fill the pages somehow

[Flying Hi]

Sky did an interview with James Asquith this morning. Here is an account:

Interview with James Asquith (https://news.sky.com/story/instagrammer-and-entrepreneur-james-asquith-buys-up-second-hand-a380-planes-to-start-worlds-newest-airline-12921651)
Not exactly in depth, was it?
Is that photo of JA standing by the 380 genuine? It looks a hit photoshoppy.

[Asturias56]

Doubt they 'd be so silly - anyway the Sky team would want the trip................

[PAXboy]

The reason that frequency is important is simple. 1. I might be able to get home quicker and have done that in the past. Equally, I can catch a later one. 2. If the aircraft goes tech or a member of the flight crew, goes ill - you don't have to wait 24 hours.

How many more lessons from Biz Travel 1.01 does he need?

Of course, he might be drawing salary for as long as it takes for this to play out.

Having now read the article, the other obvious mistake is to think that offering more space is going to do the trick. On the C class long haul sectors that I have taken since Covid, everyone goes to sleep. VS have reduced their play spaces. When we were last on VS, we were the only ones at the bar because we were on holiday.

[Asturias56]

Agreed - when you do find a "Leisure space" its got a coupleof hardened drinkers in it who'll bore you to death. As pax says on many long haul flights half the SLF in Business have a meal and then go to bed

[GrimeySky]

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

[Superpilot]

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.

[cavokblues]

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.

[Asturias56]

" I find the Richard Branson comparisons flattering"

says it all......................
:yuk:
" 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

[SOPS]

They must be dreaming. It’s just not viable.

[rogera]

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

[toledoashley]

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

To do what he is saying he is going to do, he’s going to need far more than £100m.

[Captivep]

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...

[nguba]

Great Twitter thread on the challenges of starting an airline from scratch:

https://twitter.com/jttsteve/status/1681121583186817025?s=46&t=OIvCYLUy9nzZ0zwTbRWkkw

[PAXboy]

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...:}

[GrimeySky]

Great Twitter thread on the challenges of starting an airline from scratch:

https://twitter.com/jttsteve/status/1681121583186817025?s=46&t=OIvCYLUy9nzZ0zwTbRWkkw

Thanks for sharing that. Very good review.

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:

https://twitter.com/thatjohn/status/1663451012999393280?s=20

[PAXboy]

Yep, not enough Bull in Baltia ... still, it does give us all something to smile at.

[GrimeySky]

Another insightful article: PaxEx.Aero | The Business of Passenger Experience (https://paxex.aero/)

(If the link has moved, search for headline: Global Airlines pitch deck delivers questionable claims, fuzzy financials in advance of A380 fleet launch

[TwinAisle]

Another insightful article: PaxEx.Aero | The Business of Passenger Experience (https://paxex.aero/)

(If the link has moved, search for headline: Global Airlines pitch deck delivers questionable claims, fuzzy financials in advance of A380 fleet launch

This is a very good and fair summary of the plan I got sent - all those claims about partnerships, and the statement that they have their AOC and OL - well there is a word for those. Lies.

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.

[GrimeySky]

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) (https://qz.com/exactly-who-is-the-investor-behind-virgin-orbits-failed-1850288151)

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...

[GrimeySky]

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 (https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/virgin-orbits-would-be-white-knight-200-million-rescue-that-fell-flat-2023-04-08/)

Seems that with cap and beard he fits the Global Airlines corporate look? :)

[TartinTon]

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) (https://qz.com/exactly-who-is-the-investor-behind-virgin-orbits-failed-1850288151)

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...

Perhaps they'll get that clown Pflieger in who completely mismanaged Flybe2. Seems to be their calibre of hire.

[PAXboy]

From PaxEx.AeroA 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.
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.

[lighterthief]

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!

[GrimeySky]

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/531x1163/asquith_a123300c724f61e681de5edcd19b689ab741852d.png

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.

[PAXboy]

lightertheif Yes, indeed. If they are hiring PR before Engineers and experienced staff, then that is a warning all by itself.

GrimeySky Nice one! Someone should open a book on how - and when - this will crash and burn. Worst case? Asquith knows exactly what he is doing. Every year there is another swatch of get rich quick merchants who claim to have reinvented the wheel. Most simply go bankrupt but some land up in court.

[Asturias56]

" Every year there is another swatch of get rich quick merchants who claim to have reinvented the wheel."

have you ever invested in the AIM market in London? hundreds of "life-style" companies that live off optimistic idiot investors for decades................

[PAXboy]

When I was in telecommunications, I worked in th City of London. Consequently, I do not invest in the stock market (directly) or any other market. Nor do I share an interest in Crypto currency or NFTs etc.

[nguba]

Looks like a briefing held for the press tonight in London has not instilled confidence:

https://aviationsourcenews.com/analysis/global-airlines-london-few-announcements-many-attacks/

[cavokblues]

This seems like a massive ego trip right now. The bloke has achieved very little to substantiate his claims or warrant this level of press coverage.

He needs to go away and put his money where his mouth is now and lets see what comes out the other end. I won't be holding my breath.

[Asturias56]

Looks like it was a pretty good feed tho'....................

[CabinCrewe]

Some other big companies possibly showing a little confidence?
https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2023/07/28/global-airlines-reveals-partnership-with-american-express/

[BA318]

Some other big companies possibly showing a little confidence?
https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2023/07/28/global-airlines-reveals-partnership-with-american-express/

According to this link he’s announced several partnerships that the other side have denied. https://paxex.aero/global-airlines-pitch-deck/

[GrimeySky]

Some other big companies possibly showing a little confidence?
https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2023/07/28/global-airlines-reveals-partnership-with-american-express/

Some brands (that apart from Laurent Perrier champagne) few will actually have heard of *might* be on board. But Asquith could just as well report that Coca-Cola will be served on board. That does not mean that big-brand Coca-Cola has any confidence in the Global business plan - simply that they haven't actively prevented him from buying their product. And if it's just a matter of 'passing out free [discounted?] samples' - then sure, there'll be takers.

But as William Shakespeare once said ''lining up a supplier of free toothpaste does not an airline make.''

As for Biz Traveler's comments on the 'heavy hitters' on his advisory board...
QUOTE
The growing advisory board at Global Airlines already features some well-known industry names, including Kevin Billings, former assistant secretary of the US Air Force; former French Air Force fighter pilot and COO at XL Airways Pierre Madrange, and experienced commercial and former military pilot Ian Black; Jacqueline Sutton, former CCO at Rolls Royce and Liam McKay, former London City Airport director of corporate affairs.
UNQUOTE

No disrespect to anyone there, but in the big-league, how many of these names really get instant recognition?

And has he got ANYONE with a real revenue / airline-commercial background yet --- before an alleged launch of services 9 or 10 months away?!

Ain't gonna happen in spring 2024. Or if it does somehow struggle off the ground, not in any form that resembles what Asquith promised at Kettners. (Some wet lease sleight-of-hand MAYBE, but even that sounds unlikely).

[DP.]

Some other big companies possibly showing a little confidence?
https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2023/07/28/global-airlines-reveals-partnership-with-american-express/

But all he's really saying there is "these companies will sell products to us". Likewise with AmEx - if the pitch is "we'll give your cardholders special perks" then it's no skin off their nose to go along with it for the time being. There's no way any of these firms are putting any money into these 'partnerships'.

What rather speaks volumes is that this is the kind of thing they are pushing to get a bit of PR, whilst numerous questions about the actual core viability of the business remain unanswered.

[GrimeySky]

But all he's really saying there is "these companies will sell products to us". Likewise with AmEx - if the pitch is "we'll give your cardholders" special perks then it's no skin off their nose to go along with it for the time being. There's no way any of these firms are putting any money into these 'partnerships'.

What rather speaks volumes is that this is the kind of thing they are pushing to get a bit of PR, whilst numerous questions about the actual core viability of the business remain unanswered.

Agree totally with you on that!

And it is TELLING that there is nothing on the Amex website about any special. I've worked long enough in this business to know how a REAL launch happens. If it was anything substantive, Amex would have been there at the launch. A joint press release would have been issued. Agreed quotes. But there is NOTHING.

Quite likely this is a one-sided deal as you suggest, and about as exciting as 'Bob's Burgers on Peckham High Street promise an extra squirt of ketchup to Amex Card Holders - subject to terms and conditions'.

[SOPS]

BA does how many flights across the Pond a day? 20 ? 30?

Although the Y product may be not was it was, the C and F classes are still not that bad. That on top of everything else they offer.. frequency, lounges, FF programme… I could go on.

This is a simple joke. It will never happen. iMHO.

[lighterthief]

Aside from the AOC, lack of slots, lack of experienced airline revenue staff (although Asquith claims he worked in aviation finance) and questionable choice of routes and and aircraft, Asquith seems to be convinced that passengers will flock to Global due to them deploying A380s.

When I first flew an A380 I was impressed with the quietness of it. I haven't flown an A380 for a while but the B787 and A350 are pretty quiet too. As a passenger I dislike the A380 as boarding takes an age. Meanwhile I think 98% of passengers don't really care what airframe they fly on. Most can't tell a Boeing from an Airbus.

In terms of cargo, A380s are also pretty useless in terms of tonnes they can carry...

[BHX5DME]

[QUOTE=SOPS;11475586]BA does how many flights across the Pond a day? 20 ? 30?

Although the Y product may be not was it was, the C and F classes are still not that bad. That on top of everything else they offer.. frequency, lounges, FF programme… I could go on.

This is a simple joke. It will never happen. iMHO.[/QUOTE

BA have 27 US destinations !

[DaveReidUK]

BA does how many flights across the Pond a day? 20 ? 30?

Close, but no cigar - on a typical day, around 45 departures to the US and Canada from LHR (plus some from LGW).

[CabinCrewe]

sounds like a bit of hostility at Soho event and Press all left before the Q+A section.. 🤔

[Flying Hi]

sounds like a bit of hostility at Soho event and Press all left before the Q+A section.. 🤔
Sad that they did - someone might just have asked some pertinent questions and pressed for proper answers.
I look at the 'team' he is building up - and presumably has on his payroll and wonder if any of them did 'due diligence' before joining, if they did and then still joined - one has to wonder why.
Mind you he's getting farther into Fantasyland than JU did.

[SWBKCB]

It would be interesting to see how many of these are actual full-time rolls or are they "come and sit on my compliance committee and I'll pay you £X for Y hours a month".

[Just Plane Mad]

Someone suggested this be posted from a email group:

No AOC
No Operating Licence
No Aircraft on G-reg
No DFT application to change bi lateral / air services agreement with US
No application for Part 129 US approval to operate
No application to sell tickets in the USA (Long 12-18 month process)
Money comes from Middle East into holiday swap, then into global. Global have to be 50.1% UK owned under new Brexit rules.

Will the US Dept for Transport and the UK DFT grant 'Global' a route licence /ASA on one of the worlds busiest air route which you could almost say is like a trade agreement, to a company whose funds (so far, unless they find UK money) have come from a Middle East family….I think not!

I am afraid the list of challenges for Global, although some may sound trivial are actually real challenges.

Whilst the UK has line capable MRO support, it has no base maintenance? Even BA sub theirs to Lufthansa Technik for big checks. Something goes pop and it can’t be fixed on the line, will they have to ferry to an MRO in Europe as doubt BA will help them with a Hangar. I am unsure of an A380 hangar in the UK apart from BA ? The line provider like will not have certain approvals for items I can suspect can only by done by the base provider?

Are they really going to take VS and BA’s corporates away from them. All those with Avios, card holders, all off to Global, no chance. In house travel agents at corporate’s risking a move to Global - no way! BA and VS will make them well aware, you move away, don’t expect the same corporate deals when you return!

No interlines or alliances for when it goes tits up in JFK or LGW. 600 euro a pop of EU261 and hotels as they can’t re route on an alliance carrier. To be frank, who is going to partner with them. They will have to be IOSA certified for an alliance - minimum 6 months and only really achievable when operating. You can go for IOSA from the start, but much more difficult.

No independent operator of A380. Even HIFLY couldn’t cope with it and handed it back.

BA are the only airline with a set of CAA compliant manuals for the A380 which would be acceptable. The work on the following manuals to satisfy the CAA to award an AOC will be a few months work in itself before even an application, surely! (Can't see this has been done already)

o Operations Manual Part A - General

o Operations Manual Part B - Aircraft Specific

o Operations Manual Part C - Routes & Aerodromes

o Operations Manual Part D - Training

o Operations Manual Part E - Cabin Safety

o Ground Operations Manual

o Compliance Manual

o Safety Management System Manual

o Compliance Monitoring Manual

o Security Manual

o Emergency Response Plan

o Continuing Airworthiness Management Exposition

o Maintenance Organisation Exposition (If own Part-145)

The only positive i can see is no ETOPS certification - thats about it ;-)

The last time a start up commenced from nothing in the UK and went long-haul was VS. Every UK carrier post this has started from another previous platform I.E Silverjet - Flyjet, Globespan - Cougar etc…

The Capital adequacy test / financial fitness test set by the UK CAA will set at a bar for the OL at a such a high number, they will make it impossible for it to happen as they know they will be picking up the pieces in 6-12 months time!

[GrimeySky]

Someone suggested this be posted from a email group:

No AOC
No Operating Licence
No Aircraft on G-reg
No DFT application to change bi lateral / air services agreement with US
No application for Part 129 US approval to operate
No application to sell tickets in the USA (Long 12-18 month process)
Money comes from Middle East into holiday swap, then into global. Global have to be 50.1% UK owned under new Brexit rules.

Will the US Dept for Transport and the UK DFT grant 'Global' a route licence /ASA on one of the worlds busiest air route which you could almost say is like a trade agreement, to a company whose funds (so far, unless they find UK money) have come from a Middle East family….I think not!

[SHORTENED IN QUOTE]

The Capital adequacy test / financial fitness test set by the UK CAA will set at a bar for the OL at a such a high number, they will make it impossible for it to happen as they know they will be picking up the pieces in 6-12 months time!

A comprehensive summary there Just Plane Mad!

But perhaps the CEO of this 'airline' can solve them all in one step following the newest appointment to his burgeoning 'advisory board'? He just announced that Margaret Dabbs, OBE is the latest to join.

'We can’t thank you enough!' he oozed in a reply to her yesterday on LInkedIn. '’I'm thrilled that you are joining our advisory board. You’re a fantastic and inspiring person to me!''

Looking through his list of advisors the boy Asquith seems to have an obsession with having OBE's and MBE's in his gang. Margaret was awarded her OBE in 2023 - in an awards season still tainted by Boris Johnson's friends-family-felons theme. Absolutely no suggestion however that Margaret herself is anything other than honorable and fully deserving of the OBE.

According to her London website she leads 'The No.1 Retail & Spa Brand For The Best & Most Effective Luxury Products For Feet, Hands and Legs for both men & women.'

But will those listed skills help clearing the long list 'TO DO' items posted above???

Might it be time for Asquith to look for some serious Ops, Regulatory and Revenue Management professionals?

However, I guess if Gatwick ever rented Global some space for a luxury lounge (if they still had $$$ to build one), Margaret would be a great person to have on board for the spa side of things.

[Just Plane Mad]

A comprehensive summary there Just Plane Mad!

But perhaps the CEO of this 'airline' can solve them all in one step following the newest appointment to his burgeoning 'advisory board'? He just announced that Margaret Dabbs, OBE is the latest to join.

'We can’t thank you enough!' he oozed in a reply to her yesterday on LInkedIn. '’I'm thrilled that you are joining our advisory board. You’re a fantastic and inspiring person to me!''

Looking through his list of advisors the boy Asquith seems to have an obsession with having OBE's and MBE's in his gang. Margaret was awarded her OBE in 2023 - in an awards season still tainted by Boris Johnson's friends-family-felons theme. Absolutely no suggestion however that Margaret herself is anything other than honorable and fully deserving of the OBE.

According to her London website she leads 'The No.1 Retail & Spa Brand For The Best & Most Effective Luxury Products For Feet, Hands and Legs for both men & women.'

But will those listed skills help clearing the long list 'TO DO' items posted above???

Might it be time for Asquith to look for some serious Ops, Regulatory and Revenue Management professionals?

However, I guess if Gatwick ever rented Global some space for a luxury lounge (if they still had $$$ to build one), Margaret would be a great person to have on board for the spa side of things.

Some one needs to tell him to stop appointing these board members and to appoint experienced nominated Form 4 Postholders whom are acceptable to the CAA and can get on with the job of creating this airline. If no full time Postholder appointments soon, with the assembly of an industry proven and experienced team, then in my humble opinion, they are going nowhere and all the PR is a ploy to attract finance - to get somewhere!

[TartinTon]

Nothing to see here...just another fantasist coaxing people, who clearly know no better, with honeyed words into an industry that they (and he) know nothing about. I predict it will all gradually fizzle out as the true magnitude of what he needs to do and get done dawn on him and the other people he has persuaded to join this ill-fated venture.

[GrimeySky]

Nothing to see here...just another fantasist coaxing people, who clearly know no better, with honeyed words into an industry that they (and he) know nothing about. I predict it will all gradually fizzle out as the true magnitude of what he needs to do and get done dawn on him and the other people he has persuaded to join this ill-fated venture.

So, TartinTon, reading a bit between the lines here, you're not investing? :=

[sangiovese.]

Apparently the 380 was chosen as….there simply aren’t any other aircraft on the market. And no form 4 holders as stated above. The chosen advisors are going to be giving opinion not advice

[TartinTon]

So, TartinTon, reading a bit between the lines here, you're not investing? :=

I'm going to take my vast earnings from Atmosphere airlines and plough them into this next sure thing....

[GrimeySky]

The boy Asquith has been rage-posting on LinkedIn. Seems he's not keen on folks questioning the plausibility of his incredible scheme. ('Incredible!' is a word Asquith himself loves to use. It is more appropriate to his 'virtual airline' than he probably realises!)

QUOTE AIRLINE GURU JAMES ASQUITH
Great article Condé Nast and thanks for including Global Airlines - When are the “experts” going to get back in their box? Judge us down the line in 12 months (and we are much further than your guess work may indicate) - why by creating jobs, a great working environment, better product and better competition in one of the most difficult sectors (where no expert commentator has succeeeded otherwise they would do and not judge), would people not be supportive. Most of you have very little idea about the financials of the a380, or indeed what passengers actually want - frankly, between every expert out there you own 0 a380s combined, but ironically speak the loudest critically. Airlines are making you look quite silly now, as they know what passengers want. Some experts will say anything to discredit which is insanity when you’ve got minimal understanding of purchase conditions/depreciation/interest surrounding a380s and what that translates to. As always, open book and happy to explain that, but high time that ‘commentators’ that have never started an airline or own zero aircraft combined pipe down. You look embarrassing when airlines are showing you to be wrong - perhaps take accountability when you do get it wrong too, or falsify your narrative - imagine a food critic that talks about food but has never once cooked a meal - that’s the equivalent of what aviation “experts” look like. Anyway, great article @condenasttraveller 👏👏✈️ #a380
UNQUOTE

The Conde Nast article was the usual travel-trade pap - no scrutiny of the plausibility of his 'airline' or its fundamentals.

As for the 'experts' - unsure to whom he refers - but he's ACTUALLY been exposed to remarkably little scrutiny so far. The interviews he's done have mostly been light-weight, soft-ball questions or cut-and-paste from his press releases. I'd love to watch him try and sell his fairytale to Airline Business, The Economist or the FT. I'm still waiting to see that 'open book'! :)

Asquith directs his anger towards 'experts' that haven't managed/operated the A380 or run an airline. But in fact many/most of those commenting have a heck of a lot more experience than he does.

Last I heard his 'fleet' was still rotting in a field somewhere in France! ;)

[ATNotts]

There is almost 'Trumpesque' about his rant!

[kcockayne]

Maybe, if he gets tired of Global, he can lend his acumen & expertise to Air Alderney !

[DaveReidUK]

The boy Asquith has been rage-posting on LinkedIn. Seems he's not keen on folks questioning the plausibility of his incredible scheme. ('Incredible!' is a word Asquith himself loves to use. It is more appropriate to his 'virtual airline' than he probably realises!)

Well his latest post on LinkedIn does get a ringing endorsement from an Advisory Board Member at Atmosphere Intercontinental Airlines UK ...

[GrimeySky]

Most/all of the 'positive' responses to the boy's rants seem to be from people either hoping for employment at his 'unbelievable' airline, or hoping to sell him services.

My 'expert' advice to any of them: don't quit your day job, and get paid up front!

[cavokblues]

It seems very easy to get under his skin. He seriously needs to toughen up. Lord knows how he will respond to disgruntled pax (not that they will ever fly any)

[SWBKCB]

Maybe the experts will get back in their box when he answers some of the questions raised - come back with an AOC and all the route approvals, and he'll start to look a bit more creditable.

[Just Plane Mad]

Maybe the experts will get back in their box when he answers some of the questions raised - come back with an AOC and all the route approvals, and he'll start to look a bit more creditable.

Agreed…..


The CAA issue weekly publications and to date, no AOC / OL has been applied for. He needs Post-holders acceptable to the CAA to do this. He has not appointed one Form 4 PH, only part time (I’m guessing £6-£10k a year) non exec Board Directors/Advisors. He has also not once mentioned where his money is from (Holiday Swap was traceable back to an ME family) He has not stated what amount Global requires, which invariably will be decided by the CAA. He won’t even know this until he presents his business plan to the CAA. They will then place it through a various capital adequacy tests and inform him of the capital figure they need in place to issue the OL. This could be in the order of no income for 3 months and full operational costs. You don’t need to be genius to work out his fixed overhead and his rotational costs of a couple of A380’s a day transatlantic, multiplied by 3 months and he needs that cash! I don’t think he will even be acceptable as the Accountable Manager to the CAA?!

You can have an AOC all day long, but without an OL the AOC is worthless, as you can’t fly anyone. The technical side of the CAA won’t issue the A380 AOC until that department is satisfied that ERG (Economic Regulation Group) are satisfied it’s a workable plan and airline with cash to survive! In order to apply for the AOC he needs an A380 registered in the G-reg. He has yet to do this. He can’t apply for a route licence until he has satisfied all of the above. ‘Should’ he even assemble his industry experienced team soon… he has no chance for 2024!

[cavokblues]

His quote: 'Airlines are making you look quite silly now'

What's his point here? Because some other airlines are successful and use the A380 we're all wrong to ask questions?

[lighterthief]

On his Instagram he remains busy slating other airlines. Today BA came under flack for poor boarding compared to U2. Then U2 gets criticicised for a 90m delay. Last week he was criticising B6 for its amenity kits and either UA or DL for a delay due to a weight and balance error.

I guess Global will be setting up its own GHA so it can self handle and do everything much better. He must have deep pockets.

The constant criticism of the competition makes him come across as most unprofessional and will not help him engage stakeholders.

[lighterthief]

I don’t think he will even be acceptable as the Accountable Manager to the CAA?!



His juvenile #slammertime hashtag and Instagram posts of him drinking champagne to excets daily will certainly raise eyebrows I would think.

[dc9-32]

I could own an A380 too but does it mean I will operate it ?

He seems to harp on about owning an A380 - so what. It's what you do with it that is important.

My money is on this going nowhere on a UK AOC.

[toledoashley]

On his Instagram he remains busy slating other airlines. Today BA came under flack for poor boarding compared to U2. Then U2 gets criticicised for a 90m delay. Last week he was criticising B6 for its amenity kits and either UA or DL for a delay due to a weight and balance error.

I guess Global will be setting up its own GHA so it can self handle and do everything much better. He must have deep pockets.

The constant criticism of the competition makes him come across as most unprofessional and will not help him engage stakeholders.

Given he’s supposed to be building an airline that harks back to an era of sophistication and glamour, it’s quite incredible that he should turn up at the media launch looking like he had just emerged from a skip wearing the clothes from the night before. Yes, make an impression, but scruffy doesn’t cut it when you’re trying to portray something else.

[Alsacienne]

Well his latest post on LinkedIn does get a ringing endorsement from an Advisory Board Member at Atmosphere Intercontinental Airlines UK ...


Oh dear! Takes one to know one. Damning with faint praise .........

[GrimeySky]

Carl Sagan summed it up best “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence” (his reword of Laplace's principle, “the weight of evidence for an extraordinary claim must be proportioned to its strangeness”).

The boy Asquith *may* have somehow cooked up some airline-alchemy as he claims - a model that in the last century no other airline has stumbled upon. Yeah, it's to be expected that there can and will be genuine 'disruptors' who bring something new to the table.

But if he wants to whine on LinkedIn about the media doubting him, then he needs to provide some evidence that he's actually going to be able to launch a product. Buying some rusting A380s, signing up a toothpaste manufacturer for his inflight amenity kits, and agreeing to sell 'some of the first seats' to Amex cardholders (wow! think about it - is that REALLY the breakthrough and endorsement from Amex that he makes it out to be?!) is NOT evidence of any substance, or anything new.

He styles himself as a 'disrupter', but the only disruption I can so far see is to the travel plans of any passenger who bases their holiday arrangements on getting a flight with Global in spring 2024!

[Less Hair]

He should say who the claimed investors are and how much money he has to spend? He still makes himself look like a fanboy running a virtual computer game airline. No AOC, but his merchandise store is online.

[TwinAisle]

This is the same old story that I see over and over again.

What are they doing in detail? The sexy bits - pics of the aircraft, the cabin, how wonderful it’s all going to be, how the industry is crying out for their product, how their new best mates like Amex (!!!!) adore them, and look at how all these folks on LinkedIn think they are fab....

What are they not doing? The hard graft, a coherent business plan, the aeropolitics, the commercials, the engineering, the crewing, the FTLs, the bazillion contracts etc etc etc. All the hard graft, the grubby stuff that isn’t sexy but is essential.

I will bet they have not had their preliminary meeting with the CAA. They should - but I’ll bet they don’t want the CAA pricking their balloon of dreams with the sharp pin of reality. I would never put words in the CAA’s mouth, but I would bet that what the CAA would tell them will be incredibly practical and useful (that’s based on my decades of experience) but will not be what Global want to hear.

Global need to forget the AOC for now, forget postholders, forget the ‘partners’, forget the PR and the boozy receptions, forget the recruitment of PR folks. What they do need to do is focus on their business plan, and get a feel for how much their plans are going to cost. Right now they feel like people building an enormous country estate, who have recruited interior designers and gardeners without working out what the budget is - and whether they can afford it.

I have, since I was bored, done a Benson & Hedges estimate (back of a fag packet) on what their plans need in terms of cash, based on their public statements. I had to lie down in a dark room afterwards… it’s way into NINE FIGURES. They will not - they cannot - raise this. You can take that as gospel, folks.

[lighterthief]

Does that exclude LGW's new '3rd Terminal' that Global will need to build so they can run their own security and get rid of queues, ensure EK doesnt delay them if it is on stand too long at LGW's current sole A380 stand and handle passengers and baggage to their high standards; a hangar or facility for the Global-owned GHA they will need to establish so they can self handle; their training facility so their staff deliver to Global's high standards; and their maintenance hangar that they will need too!?

[TwinAisle]

Does that exclude LGW's new '3rd Terminal' that Global will need to build so they can run their own security and get rid of queues, ensure EK doesnt delay them if it is on stand too long at LGW's current sole A380 stand and handle passengers and baggage to their high standards; a hangar or facility for the Global-owned GHA they will need to establish so they can self handle; their training facility so their staff deliver to Global's high standards; and their maintenance hangar that they will need too?

Or will those be extras!?

Lordy. Consider those as ‘optional extras’.

Remember that line in Jaws? “We’re gonna need a bigger boat”…

Well I’m gonna need a bigger calculator…

[GrimeySky]

BREAKING NEWS - via LinkedIn - Global Airways lands new hub option...

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/566x306/web_capture_1_8_2023_174013_www_linkedin_com_bf140eeb7fe813f 85323d2e8d311fef8fe76c09e.jpeg

[Flying Hi]

Like McEnroe said - " you can't be serious"
Fantasy airline + fantasy airport.. Classic.

[Just Plane Mad]

Hope you all have your orders in for your 'Global Hoodies'....a steal at just £45 #howNOTtostartanairline

https://shop.globalairlines.com/products/frontpack

[Asturias56]

Hey - they could be a real winner - in a few years time people will ask "who were they?"

[GrimeySky]

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1433x359/amex_6c5ad67331a74b963adc2cd225f7a28f6b521ded.png

Global claim that they have done a deal with Amex - but try searching the Amex UK site - not a mention of them.

I suggest that anyone with an Amex card contacts Amex customer service to ask for the specifics of the arrangement with Global.

WHAT IS THE BENEFIT that Global claim cardholders will get ? Because there's nothing on the website.

We can assume that there will NEVER be an inaugural flight from Global (certainly not in the manner Asquith has promised - EG some charter flight COULD happen - but NOT a Global registered aircraft with a UK AOC in Spring 24 etc). But close reading of Asquith's claim for an arrangement with Amex - that cardholders have 'the opportunity to be among the first passengers on Global Airlines' indicates that there is nothing very exclusive about it. 'Among the first'? Much in the same way that someone with a handful of cash could be 'among the first' to grab a seat. And surely even Asquith would not suggest that that would indicate an endorsement by the Bank of England! :)

[PAXboy]

They may have an outline agreement to use once the service is running. I doubt AmEx will allow their name to be used publically until they can see what is going to happen.

[DaveReidUK]

AmEx's announcement looks like little more than boilerplate [insert name of new merchant, with a couple of nods to their business sector]:

"We're committed to ensuring that Amex is accepted wherever our Cardmembers want to spend, so are delighted to bring them the opportunity to be among the first [passengers on Global Airlines]. With our long history in [travel], this new partnership is hugely exciting for us."

[PAXboy]

Yep, well found. That is not a 'deal' it's just doing what every other airline does. if this IS what he's on about - then he must be desperate! You don't play up a 'deal with AmEx' when you have an outline agreement to accept their card - which will pay them a handsome fee....

As I have said, I'm enjoying this very much.

[Asturias56]

"Right now they feel like people building an enormous country estate, who have recruited interior designers and gardeners without working out what the budget is - and whether they can afford it."

Ahhh - but he's not "intending to afford it" - he's out trawling for mugs, he'll probably float it on AIM with all the other lifestyle companies, raise a few million and then pay himself a very nice salary for a few years until the next "disruption" occurs to him

[nguba]

I doubt Global have actually signed a merchant agreement with Amex. It's been a long time I've dealt with credit card merchants, but there are a lot of things they would want to be comfortable with before actually signing an agreement that deals with handling fees, chargebacks etc.

[lighterthief]

I fail to see what the big deal is about Global's tie up eith Amex which Global claims is huge News with numerous Instagram reels. So they have agreed that you will be able buy stuff they sell with Amex and there seems to be a discount/perk. Amex is not widely accepted in comparison with Visa or Mastercard and any merchant can agree to accept Amex if they are prepared to pay the higher fees. Considering Global does not offer a product (other than polyester hoodies) I fail to see why they are even mentioning that Anex has agreed to let them accept Amex for payment and that it may offer a discount to card members in the future. I tend to use Amex and I would expect any airline to accept Amex as standard.

At the moment they only accept Google pay and Shop pay which do not work in a number of countries. Hardly Global!

[TwinAisle]

"Right now they feel like people building an enormous country estate, who have recruited interior designers and gardeners without working out what the budget is - and whether they can afford it."

Ahhh - but he's not "intending to afford it" - he's out trawling for mugs, he'll probably float it on AIM with all the other lifestyle companies, raise a few million and then pay himself a very nice salary for a few years until the next "disruption" occurs to him

Right… but he can’t go and raise money or go to AIM unless he knows how much he needs. And right now I would bet he can’t even estimate it to the nearest $50m, since he is clearly clueless about airline economics and the financial regulations…

[Asturias56]

He isn't interested in getting it RIGHT - he will just want as much money as he can get up fornt.

We're all making the mistake of thinking this is a genuine airline start-up business - its not - it 's the creation of a "disruptive, entrepreneur & financier"

You have been warned

[sangiovese.]

Any investor with a simple google search will see how investable this scheme is…..

[TwinAisle]

We're all making the mistake of thinking this is a genuine airline start-up business

Trust me, I'm not....

[GrimeySky]

And another from:

Global Airlines: Officially Calling "BS" (godsavethepoints.com) (https://www.godsavethepoints.com/global-airlines-is-it-real/)

EXCERPT FROM ''Officially calling 'BS'"Let me start by saying that in a travel world governed by protecting share price and shareholder value, rather than innovation and driving hospitality standards I admire those that take big swings or find new ways to please all. I don’t think Global Airlines will deliver in either of those avenues.

I’ve never been one to shy away from opinion and I’ve seen more than my fair share of big talking egos in the travel industry over the last decade. Few of these machismo ego types have been have been more easily ignored than James Asquith, the “founder and CEO” of paper airline, Global Airlines. I’d love to be wrong about this, I just so rarely am...................

[DaveReidUK]

And another from:

Global Airlines: Officially Calling "BS" (godsavethepoints.com) (https://www.godsavethepoints.com/global-airlines-is-it-real/)

EXCERPT FROM ''Officially calling 'BS'"Let me start by saying that in a travel world governed by protecting share price and shareholder value, rather than innovation and driving hospitality standards I admire those that take big swings or find new ways to please all. I don’t think Global Airlines will deliver in either of those avenues.

I’ve never been one to shy away from opinion and I’ve seen more than my fair share of big talking egos in the travel industry over the last decade. Few of these machismo ego types have been have been more easily ignored than James Asquith, the “founder and CEO” of paper airline, Global Airlines. I’d love to be wrong about this, I just so rarely am...................

That article by Gilbert Ott links in turn to another by Seth Miller that, if anything, is even more savage in its criticism of Global's half-baked plans and creative accounting:

Global Airlines pitch deck delivers questionable claims, fuzzy financials in advance of A380 fleet launch (https://paxex.aero/global-airlines-pitch-deck/)

[Lord Bracken]

And another from:

Global Airlines: Officially Calling "BS" (godsavethepoints.com) (https://www.godsavethepoints.com/global-airlines-is-it-real/)

EXCERPT FROM ''Officially calling 'BS'"Let me start by saying that in a travel world governed by protecting share price and shareholder value, rather than innovation and driving hospitality standards I admire those that take big swings or find new ways to please all. I don’t think Global Airlines will deliver in either of those avenues.

I’ve never been one to shy away from opinion and I’ve seen more than my fair share of big talking egos in the travel industry over the last decade. Few of these machismo ego types have been have been more easily ignored than James Asquith, the “founder and CEO” of paper airline, Global Airlines. I’d love to be wrong about this, I just so rarely am...................

well they say the revolution always eats its children

[01475]

All you doomsayers will be laughing on the other side of your face, when this airline succeeds for no obvious reason and where everyone else before that has tried every possible permutation of the same things has failed.

[ATNotts]

All you doomsayers will be laughing on the other side of your face, when this airline succeeds for no obvious reason and where everyone else before that has tried every possible permutation of the same things has failed.
Can I have a slice of what you're on!?

[01475]

Can I have a slice of what you're on!?

You should! It's amazing. Top quality. I get it from the same people as supplied the backers of MaxJet, EOS and SilverJet.

[Just Plane Mad]

You should! It's amazing. Top quality. I get it from the same people as supplied the backers of MaxJet, EOS and SilverJet.

When rules and regulations were way different to what they are today!

[Asturias56]

You should! It's amazing. Top quality. I get it from the same people as supplied the backers of MaxJet, EOS and SilverJet.

You're just upset because it'll stop you achieving your dream - outlined in "My Struggle" in Feb 23 on here somewhere

"I propose to set up a virtual airline using 19 seater planes hired from people you've never heard of (at least not in a good way) to serve an initial network of Manston to Anglesey, Blackpool,.."

;)

Funny old world - years of nothing and then TWO visionaries in 6 months................. you don't own a record company perchance??

[01475]

You're just upset because it'll stop you achieving your dream - outlined in "My Struggle" in Feb 23 on here somewhere

"I propose to set up a virtual airline using 19 seater planes hired from people you've never heard of (at least not in a good way) to serve an initial network of Manston to Anglesey, Blackpool,.."

;)

Funny old world - years of nothing and then TWO visionaries in 6 months................. you don't own a record company perchance??

Oh no! I don't. Err... help! Oh wait. Maybe I should get a job in a record shop while I make plans for new routes? :D

[dc9-32]

whats a record shop ?

[Asturias56]

Its something you can form a zillion companies around, all with the same branding as your airline, hair lotion, hotels etc etc and then employ clever accountants to move cash around the scenery to minimise tax and the beady eyes of investigative reporters

I'm surprised someone hasn't thought of it before.......................