UK start-up Global Airlines has confirmed it will not be transitioning to an ACMI business model, dismissing a number of reports that suggested the carrier would be making an operational shift following its inaugural transatlantic flights in May.
Global completed its first passenger flights last month, with a maiden flight between Glasgow and New York’s John F. Kennedy International airport. The plane returned to Scotland on May 19, before heading to Manchester and then onto New York again.
These flights were conducted by operating partner HiFly.
“We’re not planning to change any strategy to become an ACMI operator,” Global said in a statement shared on social media. “ACMI has always been part of our discussions with Hi Fly, but nothing has changed about our direction of travel and the vision and ambition we have for the future.”
The airline stated that it still plans on becoming a scheduled airline in the future, recognising that there is still “a lot of things to tackle”.
In January this year, the aircraft - 9H-GLOBL - completed its heavy maintenance at Elbe Flugzeugwerke at Dresden Airport. The aircraft departed from the airport, heading to Beja, Portugal for the “final touches” to be made.
Within the statement Global noted that the carrier is currently in talks with various organisations about our future financing to maintenance agreements. A number of reports also suggested that the airline has a potential new investment from Saudi Arabia - Global declined to comment on this.
No information was shared on when the airline will next be operating flights.