Airbus Beluga: 30 Years of Sky Mastery and What's Next?

In the vast expanse of the North Wales sky, a distinctive silhouette has been a regular sight for the past 30 years.

[{"selector":"#anim-5cc75c38-4a2e-42ec-8a09-a725174c770b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8e6a5c18-3773-432b-ae6b-a634b0938e6c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.308648045781744%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Photo Source-Google

The Airbus Broughton factory in Flintshire has been the birthplace of many Airbus wings.

[{"selector":"#anim-69ca7984-8088-4012-a913-1f580c1dafd5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ca9cbd13-e76a-485e-9193-c071c876b99b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-8.147564344370288%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Photo Source-Google

The BelugaST, which first graced the skies in 1994, was a marvel for its time.

[{"selector":"#anim-d5fb1d3b-13c3-4558-b541-adbbc2ac55cd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-18d5e1f8-7c7e-4253-ac5f-1866cc5cec6c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-63.31185619722541%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Photo Source-Google

Enter the BelugaXL in 2020, designed to transport both wings of the Airbus A350 simultaneously.

[{"selector":"#anim-1a4f629e-3942-4793-b7cd-1f189780dde8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7e32f5bf-9bca-4ba7-bd74-5587e86bdbb8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-35.24784178690885%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Photo Source-Google

The recent launch of Airbus Beluga Transport in 2022 signifies Airbus's foray into a niche but potentially lucrative market.

[{"selector":"#anim-12b04cf5-8729-4231-872c-016b189eb218","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-04204924-e57b-4762-b1de-9873c090af93 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-24.676026571550874%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Photo Source-Google

Without its own AOC, all Beluga missions are currently operated by Airbus Transport International (ATI).

[{"selector":"#anim-1f4cb0e1-3716-4156-b0e6-c2f85ce65daa","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ccede6f2-be4d-4423-9517-a2e736a25679 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-53.54048680174167%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Photo Source-Google

The Beluga has proven its versatility, from transporting art to playing a pivotal role in humanitarian aid.

[{"selector":"#anim-44a7d07f-a261-4df7-8883-eac4cb446cb1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ac698792-f8a9-48b4-a54d-719e01d56f24 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-41.287499782008105%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Photo Source-Google

Questions about the Beluga's future remain, especially with the older BelugaSTs reaching their midlife.

[{"selector":"#anim-322a20b4-0a43-42c9-9d74-b2a492de84a7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-9.855974278384922%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-944931df-c7ce-4fd6-998e-baff70d4c81b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source-Google

The recent event at the Storyhouse in Chester was a reflection on the Beluga's journey and its impact on the aviation community.

[{"selector":"#anim-e4b71c46-1e6b-4c30-ac6f-bad0b751e651","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-816968b4-e0ee-47fe-b900-613c4bd85dd1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-55.256938997212345%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Photo Source-Google