UK-based start-up Global Airlines’ first Airbus A380 has arrived in the Portuguese city of Beja, having departed Dresden where the aircraft has been undergoing heavy maintenance.

The jet has been housed at the EFW facility since early October last year, following initial servicing at Prestwick in Scotland.

Formerly delivered to China Southern Airlines, the Maltese-registered A380 emerged from EFW with a partial Global Airlines livery, including fuselage titles and a logo on its vertical fin – but retaining elements of its previous operator’s colour scheme.

Global A380 tail-c-Global Airlines

Source: Global Airlines

Global’s logo appears on the tail, but much of the China Southern colour scheme remains

It took off from Dresden’s runway 22 just after 12:00 on 17 January, and reached an altitude of 43,000ft while crossing France. Previous ferry flights have been a low altitude, because the landing-gear had to remain extended.

Beja is a location at which wet-lease specialist Hi Fly – which has been operating the jet on behalf of Global – conducts flight testing.

“I’m looking forward to flying this impressive aircraft again when it makes its debut commercial flight with Global Airlines,” says Hi Fly vice-chairman Carlos Mirpuri, who led the 3h flight to Beja.

“This marks the culmination of nearly two years of effort, with a dedicated team of experts from Hi Fly and Global working tirelessly to make it happen.”

Global A380 Beja-c-Hi Fly

Source: Hi Fly

Global’s A380 (9H-GLOBL) will undertake further flights this year to prepare for commercial service

According to Global Airlines, “final touches” will be made to the aircraft at Beja, “as we edge closer to launching commercial operations”.

Global Airlines has been aiming to open transatlantic A380 services but a firm date has yet to be disclosed.

“We’ve only just begun and there will be plenty more flights in 2025,” insists Global chief executive James Asquith.

Hi Fly has previous A380 operating experience, having used another of the type to conduct wet-lease services from 2018.