Airbus has completed the delivery of the final A330-700ST BelugaXL freighter to its in-house operator, Airbus Transport International, replacing the older A300-600STs.
The BelugaXL, with its larger capacity, is better suited to ferrying large aircraft parts between Airbus’s production sites, supporting production ramp-up.
The last of the A300-600ST Belugas has ceased operations, but Airbus has no plans to retire them, instead moving three to its new commercial operator, Airbus Beluga Transport, to offer the aircraft to third parties.
The Beluga is expected to remain attractive in the oversized cargo freighter market, especially with the reduced availability of other options such as the An-124 and the recent destruction of the world’s only An-225.
