The aircraft is based on the A330 aircraft, to become the successor of Airbus Beluga. Let’s take a closer look at the absolute unit.Enter the XL, the outside cargo version of the A300-600. The Beluga XL, based on the Airbus A330 with similar modifications and dimensions, was developed by Airbus to replace the type in January 2020. The Airbus Beluga XL is a large transport aircraft based on the Airbus A330 airliner.
The Airbus A300-600ST, or Beluga, is a version of the standard A300-600 wide-body airliner modified to carry aircraft parts and oversized cargo.
The main instrument panel incorporates six cathode ray tube (CRT) displays that continuously provide flight, navigation and systems-monitoring information in a clear, comprehensive manner.Celebrating the BelugaXL airlifter’s Type Certification in November 2019 are, from left to right: Florentino Bascunana, BelugaXL Project Certification Manager at EASA; Sébastien Freissinet, Airbus BelugaXL Type Certification Manager; Veronique Roca, Airbus BelugaXL Technical Director and Chief Engineer; Bertrand George, Airbus Sr. VP & Head of BelugaXL Programme; Jean-Brice Dumont, Airbus Executive VP - Engineering; Carla Iorio, EASA, Head of CT1.4 Special Aeroplanes & ProjectsIn service since 1996, the Beluga combines outsized cargo-carrying capability with the jet speed and efficiency of Airbus’ A300-600 airlinerSix new loading hangars dedicated to Airbus' Beluga cargo carriers – the first of which opened May 2014 in Hamburg, Germany – will help these freighters increase their flight hour totals to support the company's latest production rate increasesAirbus’ first BelugaXL is “all smiles”Also included in the cockpit are controls for a transportable heating module that can be installed in the main deck cargo compartment.
As an example, the BelugaXL can carry two wings of an A350 XWB jetliner, while the BelugaST can only accommodate one.
It enables short transport times for production, and the large main cargo deck minimizes the need for payload breakdown, crating and packaging.Airbus operates a fleet of five Beluga cargo airlifters, which together perform more than sixty flights each week to transport components for the company’s jetliners between 11 sites in EuropeAirbus Commercial Aircraft formation flight – 50-year anniversaryThe BelugaXL was launched to address the transport and ramp-up capacity requirements for Airbus own industrial network beyond 2019, succeeding the predecessor Beluga ST versions currently in serviceIn the making: Airbus’ first BelugaXLAirbus Commercial Aircraft formation flight – 50-year celebrationIn the making Air Astana’s A320neoBelugaXL in operational serviceHighlights of the BelugaXL first flightThe first BelugaXL delivered to Airbus Transport International (ATI) performed its first operational flight on 9 January 2020In 2020, Airbus began phasing in its fleet of six new-generation BelugaXL versions – which will operate in parallel with the five in-service A300-600STs before replacing them completely.The BelugaXL performed its maiden flight in 2018.
The old Beluga, by comparison, could only carry one such wing. The aircraft entered service with Airbus Transport on 9 January 2020 to replace the Airbus Beluga in the movement of oversized aircraft components, for example wings.