A380 startup Global Airlines ordered into compulsory liquidation by UK court

Airbus A380 startup Global Airlines has been ordered into compulsory liquidation by the Insolvency and Companies Court in the United Kingdom (UK).

On November 12, 2026, The Gazette, an official public record, published a formal notice confirming that the court had granted a ‘Winding-Up Order’ on November 4, 2026. This followed a ‘Petition to Wind Up’ that was filed with the UK court in May 2026.

According to the UK government, individuals can apply to the court to close or wind up a company if it cannot pay its debts, also known as compulsory liquidation.

Since the petition was first made, several hearings have been scheduled over the past few months at the Insolvency and Companies Court. It is understood that the most recent court hearing was held in October 2026.

Global AirlinesAmong those that joined the case as supporting creditors were former Global Airlines company directors Tom Stokely and Prashant Uttamchandani. Both individuals were represented by law firm Katten Muchin Rosenman.

In line with a winding-up order, an officer of the court, known as the ‘Official Receiver’ is put in charge of winding-up the company.

By UK government guidelines, when a company receives a winding-up order its bank account will usually be frozen and its assets or property will be sold by the official receiver.

An application can be made to cancel a winding-up order if the company does not feel that it needs to pay its creditors. This must be done within five working days of getting the order.

On the Companies House website, Global Airlines still shows as an active company. However, its latest accounts statement is marked as overdue.

Global Airlines founder James Asquith, along with two other individuals, are also still showing as active directors.

Global Airlines – the transatlantic A380 carrier

From 2021, Global Airlines made aviation headlines with its dream to launch a transatlantic carrier using a fleet of Airbus A380s.

While the British startup never secured its own Air Operator Certificate, Global Airlines chartered a handful of flights between the UK and New York in May 2025, operated on a wet-lease basis by Hi Fly Malta.

The company’s only A380 aircraft, registered 9H-GLOBL, has remained in long-term storage in Tarbes, France, since July 2025.

AeroTime has approached Global Airlines for comment.

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