Airbus Beluga Transport discontinued

On 23 January, Airbus announced it has decided to discontinue its Airbus Beluga Transport subsidiary. The airline, which received its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) on 9 January 2024, was established by Airbus to offer outsized cargo flying capacity charters with three A300B4-600ST Beluga's.

According to Airbus, the decision was made as operating the cargo-charters required very specific operational equipment for loading and off-loading the Beluga's, which proved to be a challenge.

In total, Airbus Beluga Transport operated three A300B4-600STs; F-GSTB/2 (751), F-GSTC/3 (765), and F-GSTD/4 (776). It also has F-GSTF/5 (796) on its AOC but this aircraft has been parked at Bordeaux since June last year.

For now, the aircraft will be transferred to Airbus Transport International, it's subsidiary operating six A330-700L which are known as the BelugaXL. It's however unclear what the exact future of the original Beluga will have in that fleet.

Photo by Anton Homma.