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Airline Bets on Vintage Jets for Transatlantic Flights
7 Dec
Summary
- Startup Global Airlines acquired a 25-year-old leased Airbus A340.
- The airline's strategy relies on four-engine jets, defying industry trends.
- Analysts question the cost-efficiency of operating older, fuel-thirsty planes.
A nascent British airline, Global Airlines, is generating industry debate by acquiring older, four-engine aircraft. The company recently added a 25-year-old leased Airbus A340 to its fleet, which already includes an Airbus A380. This acquisition follows a period where the A380 completed a limited number of flights with mixed passenger reception. Global Airlines' unique business model focuses on these widebody, quad-jets, a choice that many major carriers have moved away from due to their higher operating costs.
Industry experts and analysts have voiced considerable doubt about Global Airlines' strategy. They point to the A340's higher fuel consumption and maintenance expenses compared to modern twin-engine aircraft like the Boeing 777 or Airbus A330. The airline's CEO, James Asquith, has indicated that acquiring these older planes at bargain prices will offset the operational costs. However, the success of this model remains contingent on stable fuel prices and successful passenger operations.
The A340's acquisition, described by its lessor Hi-Fly as being for "brand-promotion purposes" rather than a formal lease, has further fueled speculation about the airline's true intentions. Despite the skepticism, Global Airlines, founded in 2021 and backed by private investors, continues to pursue its ambitious plan to compete on the transatlantic corridor with these distinctive, albeit dated, aircraft.
