The UK’s newest airline is planning to launch flights to one of the world’s most exclusive holiday destinations – a route that comes as the aviation industry grapples with disruption linked to conflict in the Middle East.
Global Airlines, the start-up carrier founded by British entrepreneur James Asquith, is aiming to begin services to the Maldives before the end of 2026 as it looks to expand beyond its first transatlantic flights.
The luxury archipelagic country, based in the Indian Ocean, has been among many destinations affected by rising fuel costs and flight cancellations amid ongoing tensions between Iran and the US-Israel.
The new service would mark a major leap for Global Airlines, which launched in 2022 with bold plans to bring back the ‘golden age of air travel, with a modern flair’ using Airbus A380 superjumbos.
Ambitious plans drummed up by the CEO include 12ft-long ‘suites’ for passengers in first class, as well as a ‘Gamer class’ equipped with Xbox and Playstation consoles.
The company originally aimed to start flying from London Gatwick in 2023 and have 100 planes operating across Europe by 2025. But, like most start-ups, they hit a few bumps in the road and fell behind schedule.
The airline operated two commercial flights between Glasgow and New York JFK in May 2025, but has yet to launch regular passenger services.
Its only aircraft has since remained grounded at Tarbes Airport in France as it undergoes preparations for a major maintenance check.
The UK’s newest airline, Global Airlines, founded by entrepreneur James Asquith (pictured, right) is planning to launch a new route to a luxury holiday destination in the Indian Ocean
The airline hopes to launch a new direct service from the UK to the Maldives (pictured) by the end of 2026
According to Asquith, the airline expects to return to the skies later this year, with the Maldives among a number of long-haul destinations being considered as the carrier develops its future network.
He told Metro: ‘Ask anyone in the UK, do you want to go to the Maldives? I think everyone would say: “I’d love to, it’s my dream holiday, or I want to go there on honeymoon.” And it’s so underserved from the UK.’
The airline is also looking at possible routes from regional UK airports, including Manchester and Birmingham, where demand for more long-haul flights remains strong.
Asquith, who is best known for earning a Guinness World Record for being the youngest person to travel to all 196 sovereign countries aged 24, said the airline is working to acquire at least one more aircraft to help make expansion plans a reality.
Another major challenge, the CEO noted, is securing an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), which would allow the company to operate flights independently.
The airline’s New York services were run under a wet-lease agreement with Hi Fly Malta, which provided crew, maintenance and operational support.
Despite planning a premium service on the world’s largest passenger plane, the carrier has faced criticism from aviation experts due to its reliance on an aircraft that is no longer in production and is now flown by only a limited number of airlines.
Critics argue the aircraft’s size and operating costs could make it difficult for a start-up airline to make profit, particularly on long-haul routes where hundreds of seats need to be filled.
Asquith has bold plans to bring back the ‘golden age of air travel, with a modern flair’ using Airbus A380 planes – though only one flight has taken off since the airline launched in 2022
Marina Efthymiou, Aviation expert and professor of aviation management at Dublin City University, told Metro: ‘The A380s can carry from around 500 to more than 800 people, depending on the configuration of seats.
‘This is a huge amount of passengers, which even big airlines have problems filling. Global could be flying with half-empty planes and there are already very thin profit margins when it comes to plane tickets.’
However, supporters say the A380 remains popular with passengers thanks to its spacious cabins and onboard experience.
Despite delays to its original plans and ongoing questions about its future, Global Airlines says expansion plans remain firmly on the agenda.
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