Airbus has announced the closure of its iconic BelugaST (Super Transporter) operation, on the one hand marking the end of its ambitious venture into the outsized air cargo market just three years after its launch and, on the other, making room for even bigger projects.
1. Closure
Launched in January 2022, the Airbus Beluga Transport division was envisioned as a dedicated airline for third-party logistics, receiving its own Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in November 2023. It was envisioned to transport large and unconventional cargo, such as satellites, helicopters and engines, on a A300-600ST fleet that had been repurposed from Airbus’ internal logistics.
Look who's arrived in Latin America for the first time! Our popular #BelugaST – now available for commercial outsized freight transportation worldwide – has landed in Fortaleza to deliver an #ACH160 🚁.
— Airbus (@Airbus) July 25, 2022
Keep an eye out – maybe the #Beluga will land at an airport near you soon! pic.twitter.com/MIUKG8VI2L
However, the aircraft manufacturer has now confirmed the immediate suspension of all operations using the A300-600ST fleet. Without officially confirming the reason for the termination, some customers have been told “economic factors” were taken into consideration. Airbus has not disclosed further details but has emphasized its commitment to supporting affected employees during this transition.
“We confirm that the decision has been taken to terminate the Airbus Beluga Transport business for outsized cargo missions. All flights operated by the BelugaST fleet are suspended as of now. The closure project has just started, and it is too early to predict a completion date. One of our main priorities during this time is to support our employees during the social process,” a spokesperson explained.
The final flight of the BelugaST fleet took place on 17 January 2025, when the aircraft F-GSTB flew from Bremen to Toulouse. Now, the fleet will be reintegrated into Airbus Transport International (ATI), though the future use of the A300-600ST aircraft remains uncertain.
2. History
Originally launched to fill a gap in the outsized cargo market, especially with the reduced availability of Antonov An-124 aircraft, the Beluga Transport division provided global services. Over the past year, its fleet of five A300-600STs reached destinations across the globe, including Sydney, Dubai, Hamburg and Shenzhen.
Guess who's making a splash at #ILA24 Berlin Air Show! 🇩🇪
— Airbus (@Airbus) June 8, 2024
Say hello to our beloved “baby” #Beluga. 🐋 Featuring one of the most voluminous cargo holds flying today, the Airbus #BelugaST offers a unique way to transport oversized air cargo all over the world 🌏
See for yourself,… pic.twitter.com/cWo6xKusZ0
The BelugaST fleet, based on the A300-600R platform, had been in service since 1996. It was developed as a successor to the iconic Super Guppy aircraft and had played a pivotal role in Airbus’ internal logistics for over two decades before the manufacturer decided to use it commercially.
3. The new super transporter
Airbus has however not completely abandoned its Beluga brainchild. While BelugaST has been taken out of service, it makes way for the BelugaXL project to continue its development. The initial plan was to operate a mixed fleet of BelugaSTs and BelugaXLs to manage increased production. However, as the BelugaXL became fully operational, the older BelugaST fleet was retired beginning in 2021, with its final mission this year.
Designed to transport even bigger oversized components, like aircraft wings, the BelugaXL offers 30% more capacity than its predecessor, enabling it, for example, to carry two A350 XWB wings instead of one. After its first flight in 2018, the BelugaXL entered service in January 2020, boosting the manufacturer’s logistics capabilities.
"FOURmidable"! Our #BelugaXL 4 on its maiden flight today in Toulouse. 🛫 🐳 pic.twitter.com/kSMsvccngl
— Airbus (@Airbus) July 20, 2021
The BelugaXL is larger and more efficient, with a longer fuselage, wider cargo hold and increased payload capacity. It operates at a range of 2,300 nautical miles, compared to the BelugaST’s 900 nautical miles, and reduces transport time significantly—up to nine times faster for certain missions. Its design blends elements of the Airbus A330-200 and A330-300, incorporating advanced structural enhancements and stability features, such as an enlarged vertical stabilizer and additional fins.
