Airbus has abandoned plans to offer cargo flights with its older fleet of Beluga ST aircraft. The information was obtained by Les Echos and confirmed to Flight Global.
Airbus Beluga Transport was created exactly three years ago as a way to make use of four of the five A300-600ST, aircraft modified to transport large components between the company’s factories.
With a new generation of jets based on the larger A330-200 (Beluga XL), the planemaker began to make the old fleet available to external customers.
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Given the reduced availability of Antonov An-124s in the special cargo market, the Beluga seemed to be a good idea, despite the more complex cargo handling logistics.
In January of last year, Airbus Beluga Transport obtained its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), starting its commercial operations.
However, the four remaining jets were basically flying for Airbus units until the beginning of January, when they stopped operating.
The Beluga F-GSTC and F-GSTD have not flown since January 6 and 8, while the F-GSTB and F-GSTE aircraft made their last flights on January 17.
There are currently two Beluga STs in Bourdeaux and two in Toulouse, Airbus’ headquarters. The first of these, F-GSTA, has been deactivated since 2021.
Beluga XL
Airbus told Flight Global that the airline’s closure has just begun and there is no deadline for its completion. The company did not explain the reasons that led it to abandon the project.
Airbus Transport International, the division responsible for transporting aerostructures, currently has six A330-743L Beluga XLs in service, which can carry more cargo than their predecessor.
The first Beluga made its maiden flight in September 1994 and entered service a year later to replace the ageing four-engine Super Guppy aircraft acquired second-hand by Airbus.
