• Knighthood Global acquires a stake
• Global Airlines reintroduces the A380
• Former CFO James Rigney joins the team

James Hogan, who previously served as the chief executive of Etihad Airways during its ambitious yet struggling expansion, is preparing to invest in Global Airlines, a UK-based startup aiming to reinstate the Airbus A380 for commercial flights.

Hogan’s consultancy, Knighthood Global, will not only acquire a stake in Global Airlines but will also provide strategic advice in collaboration with James Rigney, the former CFO of Etihad.

Both Hogan and Rigney are anticipated to assist with fundraising campaigns and help the company obtain a UK air operator certificate (AOC) by 2025, as stated by Knighthood Global.

Details regarding the percentage of the stake have not been revealed.

Global Airlines, which was founded by entrepreneur James Asquith, launched its first remodeled A380 on May 15 through a charter flight from Glasgow International Airport to New York’s JFK International.

This operation was conducted under a wet lease agreement with Hi Fly Malta, as Global Airlines is still in the process of acquiring its own AOC.

The airline intends to grow its fleet and initiate regular services in the forthcoming year.

Hogan’s return to the A380 market is significant; he played a key role in introducing the aircraft to Etihad in 2014, which included the launch of the exclusive “residence” suite.

This initiative was part of an expansive growth plan that involved acquiring minority interests in struggling airlines like Air Berlin, Alitalia, and Jet Airways, leading to substantial financial write-downs.

After his departure in 2017, as Etihad changed its strategy by cutting routes and dissolving its equity partnerships, the airline, owned by Abu Dhabi’s ADQ, has managed to return to profitability and is contemplating an IPO. Last year, it announced a plan to invest $7 billion to double its fleet by 2030.

Hogan currently leads Knighthood Global, a consultancy with offices located in Abu Dhabi, Geneva, and Malta. Additionally, he is a board member of Sanad, an aerospace enterprise owned by Mubadala.

Global Airlines is banking on its A380 revival as a response to the increasing demand for high-capacity long-haul travel.

While Emirates Airlines remains the largest operator of the A380, the aircraft has generally fallen out of favor since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Airbus ceased production in 2021, and most airlines have either retired or grounded their fleets due to high operational costs and limited adaptability.