Operated as charter carrier GlobalX, Global Crossing Airlines has carried out its first-ever aircraft purchase and signed leases of four additional Airbus jets.
The Florida-based company said on July 14 that “GlobalX affiliates” purchased the Airbus A320 from Falcon 2019-1 Aerospace, funded by UK-based Volofin Capital Management.
According to data provided by aerial analytics firm Cirium, the 18-year-old Twinjet, powered by CFM International CFM56 engine, was operated by Virgin America and later by Alaska Airlines, following Alaska's 2016 acquisition of Virgin America. It is configured to seat 179 passengers.
The aircraft was purchased at $14.3 million, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
GlobalX President and Chief Financial Officer Ryan Goepel said the aircraft acquisition “signs that the airline's “fleet alone will move away from the hybrid ownership model.”
“Owning a selected aircraft will improve your ability to manage long-term operating costs, manage plan maintenance and changes more efficiently, and most importantly, build tangible asset values,” he says.
In addition to the purchase, GlobalX has concluded a lease agreement with the AE Industry Partner Management Fund for four A319 aircraft “to meet growing demand across the expanding charter and passenger services business.”
The first A319 is scheduled to be delivered at the end of August, with subsequent monthly delivery scheduled until November 30th.
GlobalX will operate a fleet of 22 A320 family aircraft, withholding relevant regulatory approvals.
The carrier began operations in August 2021, pursuing active growth in cargo and passenger seat. GlobalX then cut its cargo movement activity in favor of chartered passenger flights.
