{"id":82667,"date":"2025-01-24T20:57:14","date_gmt":"2025-01-24T15:27:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=82667"},"modified":"2025-01-24T20:58:05","modified_gmt":"2025-01-24T15:28:05","slug":"airbus-shut-down-beluga-transport-airline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/24\/airbus-shut-down-beluga-transport-airline\/","title":{"rendered":"Airbus Shut down its Just 14-Months Old Airline"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

TOULOUSE-<\/strong> European aerospace giant Airbus <\/a>has officially announced the closure of its Airbus Beluga Transport operation, a recently established airline division designed to leverage its specialized cargo <\/a>aircraft fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The decision marks a significant strategic shift for one of the largest aerospace manufacturers in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Airbus
Photo: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Airbus Shut down Beluga Airline<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The company initially created the division to explore alternative commercial uses for its A300-600ST Beluga aircraft, which were phased out of internal logistics networks following the introduction of the larger A330-700L BelugaXL<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In November 2023, Airbus secured a French air operator’s certificate for the Beluga Transport division, signaling its commitment to the venture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the airframer has now confirmed its intent to terminate the business entirely. According to a statement provided to FlightGlobal<\/a><\/em>, confirming reports from the French newspaper Les Echos<\/em>, all flights operated by the A300-600ST fleet have been suspended indefinitely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbus acknowledged the complexity of the closure process, emphasizing that the project is in its initial stages. The company has not yet established a definitive timeline for completing the operational shutdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the uncertainty, Airbus has prioritized supporting its employees through the anticipated social transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Airbus
Photo: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Reason Not Revealed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Airbus has not disclosed specific reasons for terminating its Beluga Transport operations, a venture launched just three years ago to explore third-party cargo transport markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airline aimed to leverage five A300-600ST aircraft for transporting specialized cargo like satellites, engines, and helicopters, capitalizing on the diminishing availability of high-capacity transport options such as the Antonov An-124.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The A300-600ST aircraft<\/strong>, previously utilized in Airbus’s internal logistics network through Airbus Transport International for ferrying aerostructures between manufacturing facilities, was being repositioned for commercial charter operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last year, the company highlighted its strategic expansion by recruiting 60 personnel and planning to deploy pilots from Airbus Transport International while simultaneously training additional cockpit crew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MUST READ: Top 10 Biggest Airplanes in the World (Updated)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"PARIS-
Photo: By aeroprints.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=32535925<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

About Airbus BelugaXL<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Airbus developed the BelugaXL (A330-743L) as a specialized large transport aircraft to address increasing manufacturing logistics challenges. Designed to replace the original BelugaST, the aircraft transports massive aircraft components, particularly wings, with enhanced capacity and efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The BelugaXL first flew on 19 July 2018 and received type certification on 13 November 2019. Airbus Transport integrated the aircraft into its operational fleet on 9 January 2020, marking a significant milestone in aerospace logistics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2013, Airbus recognized limitations in its existing BelugaST fleet, which could not sustain the company’s production growth. After evaluating multiple alternative transportation solutions, including the Antonov An-124 and An-225, Boeing C-17, Dreamlifter, and A400M, the company opted to modify its own aircraft design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The BelugaXL program launched in November 2014, with plans to construct five aircraft to replace the existing five BelugaSTs. A design freeze was announced on 16 September 2015, with the total program investment reaching \u20ac1 billion for development and production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the introduction of the BelugaXL, the original BelugaSTs retain potential operational value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These aircraft potentially have 10-20 years of remaining flying life<\/strong> and may be offered for sale or utilized to serve external customers, representing a potential additional revenue stream for Airbus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Airbus Delivered 766 Aircraft to 86 Operators in 2024<\/a><\/blockquote>