Global Airlines A340
January 18th brought us an unexpected surprise, but also a bit of confusion as to its identity.
TUI flight 371 from Amsterdam was being operated by a Global Airlines (operated by HiFly Malta) Airbus A340-312.
Founded in 2021 by British millionaire James Asquith, Global Airlines began operations on May 15th, 2025 with a flight from Glasgow (GLA/EGPF) to New York (JFK/KJFK) using an Airbus A380-841 (registered 9H-GLOBL). Malta-based HiFly was the registered operator, Global lacking an Air Operator Certificate (AOC). After only 4 tans-Atlantic flights, Global Airlines ceased operations and the aircraft was sent to Dresden, Germany (DRS/EDDC) for maintenance on May 26th and then to Tarbes, France (LDE/LFBT) on July 16th for storage.
The switch to the A340 was announced by Global in early December 2025 but, while 9H-SUN carries Global’s livery, HiFly Malta has publicly stated that it has no operational relationship with Global Airlines and that the aircraft is entirely for brand promotion purposes. Global’s own website makes no mention of an A340-based service of any sort.
The aircraft departed for Amsterdam the following morning.
(Click an image to enlarge)
© 2026 Patrick Lalande. All rights reserved.
