Airbus has rolled out the sixth and last of its Beluga XL freighters at the production facility in Toulouse, France. Based on the A330-200 platform and boasting a special livery, this plane joins a quintet of similar aircraft assisting Airbus in meeting production schedules at its various plants across the globe.

The Final Super Transporter

The concluding Airbus Beluga XL, also known as the ‘super transporter,’ marks the end of a production run consisting of six airplanes. Unlike its five predecessors, each displaying a consistent livery barring their fleet numbers (1-5), the final aircraft showcases a modified external color scheme.

This latest addition features Airbus’ standard house tail colors, logo, and the ‘Airbus Beluga XL’ fuselage titles present on the other five planes. However, it also carries the additional text ‘Also flying outsize cargo to your destination’ and a unique ‘winking eye’ motif on the left side of the forward fuselage.

Currently, the sixth Beluga XL is preparing for its maiden flight, scheduled to occur within a few days. Its entry into service is expected in the latter half of 2023.

The Beluga XL: An Oversized Freight Carrier

Launched officially in November 2014, the Beluga XL program was initiated in response to Airbus’s evolving logistical transport needs. This new generation aircraft, derived from the Airbus A330-200 airliner platform, replaced the previous Beluga ST transporter, whose job was to ferry aircraft components between Airbus factories and assembly plants across Europe.

The Beluga XL had its first flight in July 2018 and entered service in February 2021 with Airbus Transport International (ATI), the logistics division of the European aerospace group.

Before the Beluga STs, Airbus relied on a fleet of four Super Guppies, a turboprop freighter developed by Boeing in the 1960s. However, their limited cargo capability led to their replacement by the Beluga ST, which now gives way to the Beluga XL fleet.

Unmatched Capabilities of the Beluga XL

Being seven meters longer and one meter wider than the Beluga ST, the Beluga XL can boast of a 30% increase in load capacity. Thanks to improved loading systems, the Beluga XL’s turnaround time is approximately one hour, nearly halving that of the Beluga ST.

One of the unique features of the Beluga XL is its large cargo door located above the flight deck, which allows easy loading of whole wings and large sections of fuselage into the enormous cargo compartment. According to Airbus, the Beluga XL can carry two completed wings of the A350 XWB, while the Beluga ST could only manage one.

Read more about the Beluga XL: Airbus Beluga: A Marvel of Engineering and Design

Joining a Busy Worldwide Fleet

Soon, the final Beluga XL will join the ATI fleet, operating between 11 European destinations, gradually replacing the five-member-strong Beluga ST fleet. However, the Beluga ST fleet isn’t retiring yet. They are being phased into another operational division of ATI – Airbus Beluga Transport (AiBT), launched in July 2022.

While AiBT initially focused on missions for other Airbus divisions, it plans to accommodate an increasing number of external commercial customers as the Beluga XLs take over the primary role of transporting commercial airplane components for Airbus. By February 2023, AiBT had already filled nearly 50% of its slots for the rest of the year, catering to many requests for outsized cargo transportation missions worldwide.

Bulgaria Air now proudly hosts the Airbus A220 in its fleet, marking an important step towards greener aviation. The A220’s attributes of operational flexibility, unrivaled comfort, and reduced emissions make it a sought-after choice for airlines working towards more efficient and sustainable aircraft operations. With the addition of Bulgaria Air’s Airbus A220, passengers can now look forward to a state-of-the-art flight experience that has already been enjoyed by over 90 million travelers worldwide.

Bulgaria Air, the national airline of Bulgaria, has received its first A220 aircraft from Airbus’ Mirabel facility in Canada. The A220, which will be leased from Air Lease Corporation, will operate on regional and international routes throughout Europe. Bulgaria Air will lease a total of seven A220s from ALC.

The A220, Airbus’ latest-generation aircraft, will complement Bulgaria Air’s existing fleet of seven A320s. With a range of up to 3,450 nm (6,390 km), the A220 offers increased operational flexibility to airlines like Bulgaria Air.

The initial configuration of Bulgaria Air’s A220 will have a total of 143 seats in dual-class, including eight business-class seats. The A220 is designed for the 100-150 seat market and incorporates advanced aerodynamics, materials, and Pratt & Whitney engines. It provides unbeatable comfort in a small single aisle with the widest windows, largest seats, and overhead stowage, as well as the widest and quietest cabin in its category.

The A220 also supports Bulgaria Air’s commitment to decarbonizing aviation, as it produces up to 25% lower fuel burn and CO2 emissions per seat than previous-generation aircraft and 50% lower NOx emissions than industry standards. Additionally, the aircraft’s noise footprint is reduced by 50% compared to previous-generation aircraft.

Airbus has received nearly 800 orders from 30 customers for the A220, with 265 already delivered. The A220 is currently in service with 16 airlines worldwide, operating on over 1,100 routes and over 375 destinations. Over 90 million passengers have flown on the A220 to date.

Hence, What do you think are the benefits of Bulgaria Air’s addition of the Airbus A220 to its fleet?

Also, you may be interested in reading: The Story of the A220, how it Came About and How it’s Becoming Popular

Ten years ago, the Airbus A350 embarked on its maiden flight, signaling a new era in the aviation industry. This monumental event took place on June 14, 2013, and marked the beginning of a game-changing journey that has continued to impact global aviation to this day.

🎉🛫 Celebrating a decade of the #AirbusA350, we’re giving away an A350 model! To enter:

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The Maiden Flight of Airbus A350: A Groundbreaking Event

A decade ago, on June 14, 2013, the aviation world watched as the Airbus A350 made its inaugural flight. The aircraft lifted off from Toulouse–Blagnac Airport’s runway, marking the beginning of a new chapter in aviation history. The A350 prototype completed its maiden voyage under partly cloudy skies, with Airbus Chief Test Pilot Peter Chandler at the helm. Over the course of a four-and-a-half-hour journey, the aircraft graced the skies above the Pyrenees, soaring up to an altitude of 25,000 feet.

In a testament to Airbus’s confidence in the A350, the prototype returned to the skies just five days later. This time, it was put through its paces, with pilots testing the plane at its minimum and maximum speeds and deploying the autopilot system for the first time.

A Star at the Paris Air Show

After rolling out of the paint shop on May 13, 2013, the A350 remained largely out of the public eye until the prestigious 2013 Paris Air Show. Here, test pilot Peter Chandler showcased the new twin-engine widebody, piloting it down to a height of 1,000 feet over Paris–Le Bourget Airport. This marked the first public appearance of Airbus’s new flagship.

Certification and the Launch Customer

Following an intense period of 2,500 flight testing hours in varied climates and conditions, the Airbus A350 was awarded its European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification on September 30, 2014. The certification included an ETOPS 370 rating, permitting the aircraft to operate on a single engine for up to six hours.

The A350’s first customer, Qatar Airways, took delivery of the aircraft on December 22, 2014. The following month, the aircraft embarked on its first revenue-generating flight from Hamad International Airport to Frankfurt Airport.

Airbus A350 vs. Boeing 787: A Competitive Landscape

In its early stages, Airbus envisaged that the twin-engine A330 widebody would be capable of competing with Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner. However, as orders for the 787 began to mount, Airbus realized that it needed a new aircraft that could match the 787’s range and efficiency.

Compared to the Boeing 787, the Airbus A350 boasts a greater range and superior passenger and cargo capacity. However, the Boeing aircraft is significantly cheaper, giving it a competitive edge.

Nevertheless, sales of the Airbus A350 have been strong, and the aircraft’s future looks promising. As the industry prepares for the arrival of the Boeing 777X, Airbus will need to continue to innovate to maintain its competitive edge.

READ ALSO: Qatar Airways Welcomes First New Airbus A350 After Long Wait

Reflecting on the journey of the Airbus A350, from its maiden flight to its current status as a staple in global aviation, it’s clear that this aircraft has truly transformed the industry. But, as always in the fast-paced world of aviation, the question remains: what will the next ten years bring? We’d love to hear your thoughts.