Airbus has rolled out the sixth and final BelugaXL freighter aircraft, designed to fly structures between the airframer’s manufacturing facilities.
The BelugaXL – formally designated the A330-700L – is a modified A330 developed to replace the older A300-600ST Beluga fleet. All six aircraft are fitted with Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines. The first BelugaXL conducted its maiden flight almost exactly five years ago, in July 2018.
HLPFI reported last year that the older A300-600ST Beluga fleet is finding its feet in the commercial heavy airfreight sector. The manufacturer launched Airbus Beluga Transport with demand surging and the availability of the AN-124 fleet curtailed. It planned to have all five Beluga STs operating in the commercial market by 2024.
The BelugaST has a maximum payload of 40 tonnes, but its unique selling point is the largest cross section of any aircraft, with a cargo bay measuring 7.1 m high, 6.7 m wide and 39 m long – opening up new possibilities for shippers wanting to move large items by air. Typical industry sectors that could be served include engine manufacturers; space industries; helicopter manufacturers; aeronautic, oil and gas and energy providers; maritime, machinery manufacturers; military vehicles and humanitarian supply distributors.
For instance, last year Bolloré Logistics chartered the Beluga ST to move a helicopter from France to Brazil. Helibras contracted Bolloré Logistics to transport its ACH160 from Marseille to Viracopos international airport in São Paulo for final assembly at Azul Linhas Aéreas’ MRO facility.
Original reporting on this story was supplied by HLPFI’s sister title, Flight Global.
