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http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articl ... nt-406160/Airbus has launched the development of an A330-based successor for its five-strong A300-600ST Beluga transport fleet.
The Toulouse-based manufacturer says it will build five “new Belugas”, the first of which is scheduled to enter service in mid-2019.
Like its predecessor, the new aircraft will feature a lowered cockpit section to facilitate transport of large airframe segments on the main deck in an extended cargo bay structure.
http://online.wsj.com/articles/airbus-t ... 1416234089Meanwhile, the existing Beluga fleet is to be gradually retired until 2025.
The General Electric CF6-powered aircraft were manufactured between 1994 and 2001, Flightglobal’s Ascend Fleets database shows.