The first Airbus A380 from UK-based startup Global Airlines has departed from Dresden, where it is undergoing heavy maintenance, and arrived in the Portuguese city of Beja.
The jet has been stored at the EFW facility since early October last year after initial maintenance in Prestwick, Scotland.
The Maltese-registered A380, previously delivered to China Southern Airlines, emerged from EFW with partial Global Airlines livery, such as the aircraft title and vertical tail logo, but the former operator's livery The elements of the scheme are retained.
The plane took off from Dresden's Runway 22 just after noon on January 17, reaching an altitude of 43,000 feet while crossing France. Previous ferry flights required the landing gear to remain extended, resulting in low altitude flights.
Beja is where wet-lease specialist Hi Fly, which operates jets on behalf of Global, conducts flight tests.
HiFly Vice Chairman Carlos Mirpuri, who led the three-hour flight to Beja, said: “We look forward to being back at the controls of this impressive aircraft as it enters its first commercial flight with Global Airlines.” Ta.
“This is the culmination of nearly two years of hard work by a dedicated team of Hi Fly and Global experts to make this a reality.”
Global Airlines said the aircraft would undergo “final finishing touches” in Beja “in preparation for the commencement of commercial operations.”
Global Airlines aims to launch A380 transatlantic service, but no exact date has yet been released.
“It's early days and there will be many more flights in 2025,” insists global chief executive James Asquith.
HiFly has previous experience operating A380s and has been conducting wet lease services using another type of A380 since 2018.
