Airbus to Close Its Airbus Beluga Transport Operation

Airbus has announced the closure of its relatively young Airbus Beluga Transport operation, which was designed to meet the growing demand for outsize cargo transport. The decision comes after just three years of operation, and the company has confirmed that all flights operated by the A300-600ST fleet are now suspended.

Background of Airbus Beluga Transport

The airframer had launched the Airbus Beluga Transport operation in November 2023, securing a French air operator’s certificate for the new division. This initiative was part of Airbus’s strategy to explore the third-party market for outsize cargo transport, following the introduction of the larger A330-700L BelugaXL, which replaced the A300-600ST Beluga fleet in its internal logistics network.

The A300-600ST fleet, previously used by Airbus Transport International for ferrying aerostructures between Airbus manufacturing facilities, was repurposed for the commercial transport of outsize freight such as satellites, engines, and helicopters.

The Termination of Airbus Beluga Transport

Despite the initial optimism and the airline’s efforts to offer outsize freight services, Airbus has now decided to terminate the business. While the airframer has not provided detailed reasons for the closure, the company has expressed a commitment to supporting its employees during the transition. The closure project has just begun, and it is still too early to predict a timeline for its completion.

The A300-600ST aircraft, five of which were initially part of the operation, had been used for transporting large, specialized freight. However, with other high-capacity aircraft, notably the Antonov An-124, becoming increasingly scarce, Airbus Beluga Transport was aiming to fill this gap in the market.

In preparation for the operation, Airbus recruited 60 personnel and had planned to integrate pilots from Airbus Transport International while training additional crew for the new carrier. These efforts highlighted the company’s intentions to establish a stable workforce for the airline. However, with the closure now underway, the future of these staff members is uncertain, and Airbus has made supporting them through the social process a priority.

• Featured image by Didier Durieux

Youssef Yahya

Youssef Yahya is the CEO and Founder of Aviation for Aviators, a platform dedicated to the aviation industry. With over 3 years of experience as an aviation writer, Youssef is passionate about sharing his insights on aviation, entrepreneurship, and the broader business landscape. As a Teaching Assistant in Entrepreneurship at Nile University, he also nurtures the next generation of entrepreneurs. When he’s not exploring the skies or business ventures, you can find him saying, ‘Drag your coffee, and let’s talk aviation, entrepreneurship, and football.’

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