A businessman from OnlyFans is entering the aviation world
Businessman Tom Stockley, who, along with his brother Tim and father Guy, co-founded OnlyFans in 2016, has joined the board of Global Airlines, a new carrier. During his tenure at OnlyFans, Tom Stockley served as the platform's Chief Operating Officer.
The money he earned from the platform enabled Stockley to acquire shares in Global Airlines. The business, founded three years ago by James Asquith, a former banker who set a Guinness World Record as the youngest person to travel to all 196 sovereign countries, is viewed by many as a bold attempt to compete with established carriers such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, which dominate the route, as reported by Finance Yahoo.
Asquith aims to restore the glamour of travel through Global Airlines, promising to "revolutionize commercial flying" and make passengers "feel like a million dollars." The airline has already announced plans to serve Laurent-Perrier champagne to passengers on board and provide chauffeur service directly to the airport for first-class customers. Some observers are optimistic about Asquith's plans to revitalize the transatlantic route, while others question whether Global Airlines will successfully operate passenger flights, considering the challenges and regulatory hurdles involved in launching such an endeavor.
James Strickland, an aviation consultant, mentioned, "There's a huge list of challenges, and most startups will never make it through it. But after I met him, I think if anyone has a chance to do it, he has that chance. He's aware of the challenge, but I think he's very focused and wants to bring in people who have the right experience."
Asquith has built a fleet of four Airbus A380s, claiming to have purchased them from the German investment company Doric last year. While Global Airlines initially aimed to have at least one A380 in service by spring 2024 for transatlantic flights, the startup has faced delays and is now considering using the planes for charter services at major events, such as the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
Global Airlines stated, "We expect our first series of passenger services to be launched within the next 12 months. However, we, like many other aviation companies, have experienced some delays with our partners and numerous supply chain issues that we continue to address and seek solutions to."
Regarding Stockley's role in the project, which currently involves about 100 people, his specific responsibilities have not yet been determined. Nonetheless, both Stockley and Asquith face a formidable task in launching the new Global Airlines.