Airbus to launch subsidiary for BelugaSTs

Airbus has announced the launch of a new commercial cargo service, which will use the five A300-600STs, or BelugaST. The new service is called Airbus Beluga Transport and will offer customers a solution for their large cargo transport needs.

The first mission for ABT was carried out in December 2021, when the new service transported a newly built helicopter from Airbus Helicopters at Marseille to Kobe in Japan. On the way, the BelugaST made refuelling stops at Warsaw, Novosibirsk and Seoul.

Airbus Beluga Transport will offer customers the widest cross-section in air transport, accommodating outsized cargo of up to 7.1 metres wide and 6.7 metres in height. This enables customers to transport helicopters without dismantling, or the largest commercial aircraft engines in their fully dressed configuration.

At the moment, the Airbus Beluga Transport-service is making use of Airbus' crews. Once all six replacement A330-700L BelugaXLs have been delivered, the five BelugaSTs will be moved to a new subsidiary with its own AOC (Air Operator Certificate) and crews.

To improve the BelugaSTs turnaround capabilities, Airbus is working on updating the aircraft's Flight Management System as well as a new automated onboard cargo loader, which will help loading and unloading the BelugaST at airports with limited facilities.

Of the five BelugaSTs, three are currently in operation (F-GSTC/3, F-GSTD/4 and F-GSTF/5). F-GSTA/1 and F-GSTB/2 are parked at Bordeaux, France. So far, four A330-700Ls BelugaXLs have been delivered.

Photo by Airbus.