(Jan 26, 2022)
Airbus has launched a new air cargo service using its unique fleet of BelugaST aircraft.
The new service, Airbus Beluga Transport, will provide commercial contract customers with a solution to their non-standard cargo transportation needs.
The first mission took place at the end of 2021 with a delivery from the Airbus Helicopters manufacturing site in Marignane, France, to Kobe in Japan for an undisclosed customer. The Beluga #3 stopped to refuel in Warsaw (Poland), Novosibirsk (Russia) and Seoul (Korea).
Airbus launches new air cargo service – Airbus Beluga Transport
Phillippe Sabo, Head of ATI and Oversized Air Transport at Airbus, said: “The wider cross-section of the Beluga will open up new markets and new logistical possibilities for customers. In the case of loading helicopters – not having to disassemble them beforehand – this is really a plus. Likewise, larger commercial aircraft engines can be accommodated in a fully-equipped configuration.
Based on the design of the A300-600, the fleet of five BelugaSTs, which until now constituted the backbone of the inter-site transport of Airbus wide-body aircraft sections, is replaced by six new BelugaXLs. generation to support Airbus’ ramp-up of its airliner production.
The new Airbus Beluga Transport service can meet a multitude of possible market applications as the aircraft have the world’s largest interior section of any transport aircraft, accommodating oversized cargo up to 7.1m wide and 6.7 m in height.
In the near future, once Airbus has put the six new BelugaXLs into service, the fully freed-up BelugaST fleet will be handed over to a newly created airline subsidiary with its own Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) and staff.
Philippe Sabo added: “The new airline will be flexible and agile to meet the needs of global external markets.
In order to maximize the turnaround capacity of the BelugaST for its targeted international customer base, new loading techniques and equipment are being developed for the operation. These solutions include an automated on-board cargo loader (OBCL) for missions where a loading/unloading platform is not available at the origin or destination airport.
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