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Airbus Beluga Transport terminated
Airbus recently announced that its Airbus Beluga Transport subsidiary will be discontinued. The airline was aimed at offering outsized cargo flying capacity charters with three A300B4-600ST Beluga’s and received its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) last year.
Airbus Beluga Transport was launched in 2021.
Airbus established the airline because operating the cargo-charters required very specific operational equipment for loading and off-loading the Beluga’s.
According to Scramble Magazine the aircraft will be transferred to Airbus Transport International, it’s subsidiary operating six A330-700L which are known as the BelugaXL. The role the original Beluga will play in Airbus Transport International is unclear.
BelugaST
The BelugaST has been a cornerstone in Airbus production for years, ensuring the seamless transport of oversized cargo.
With one of the largest cargo holds of any civil or military aircraft flying today, the Airbus BelugaST is ideally suited to transporting oversized payloads. Also known as the A300-600ST Super Transporter, for over 20 years the BelugaST fleet played a central role in keeping Airbus’ commercial aircraft production and assembly network operating at full capacity.
The BelugaST delivers a high level of customer satisfaction with loading, unloading and delivery designed to be fast, safe, flexible and reliable.
The airlifters’ cargo loading system enables easy and efficient payload handling. To maximise turnaround capability, new loading techniques are being developed – including an automated On-Board Cargo Loader (OBCL) for missions where a loading/unloading platform is not available.
The aircraft also features a transportable heating module for the cargo compartment. It provides temperature-controlled conditions for sensitive payloads including satellites – and even famous paintings.
From Super Guppy to BelugaST
In the 1970s, fast-growing Airbus needed an air transporter to link production sites in France, Germany, Great Britain and Spain. A solution was found in the shape of the Boeing Super Guppy. The airlifter was originally designed for NASA, and Airbus’ Super Guppies were actually built under licence in France.
By the mid-1990s, Airbus needed a new air transporter to support accelerating production. The Company commissioned the A300-600 Super Transporter. The aircraft became affectionately known as the BelugaST, in a nod to the white whale it resembles. An aviation star was born!
The BelugaST supported Airbus’ production ramp-up for over 20 years. In 2020, the five-aircraft fleet moved across to Airbus Beluga Operations for a second career.
Photo credit: Laurent ERRERA from L’Union, France via Wikipedia
