Airbus to expand its Beluga fleet with five new A330 based aircraft

Airbus has launched a development program that will see a brand new Beluga transporter take to the skies in 2019

The program will add five new jets to its existing five A300 based Beluga transport fleet.

An ever present sight in the skies above Deeside, the development of the new Beluga’s coincides with the companies aircraft production ramp-up and bulging order book.

The new Beluga will be based on the A330 with a large re-use of existing components and equipment.

The distinctive looking lowered cockpit, the cargo bay structure and the rear-end and tail will be amongst the items which will be newly developed, the first of the five new Belugas will enter in service in mid-2019.

The “Beluga”, is Airbus’ unique method for transporting large aircraft components– between company production sites in Europe. Airbus had already l launched “the Fly 10000” project aiming at doubling the current Beluga capacity by 2017.

The existing Beluga fleet will operate in parallel, and will be progressively retired through to 2025.