Airbus’ BelugaXL freighter has entered into service after making its first operational flight on January 9, 2019.
The aircraft will provide Airbus with 30% extra transport capacity compared with the existing BelugaST aircraft, which the aircraft manufacturer said would support the on-going production ramp-up of commercial aircraft programmes.
The BelugaXL can carry two A350 XWB wings compared with the BelugaST, which can only carry one. With a maximum payload of 51 tonnes, the BelugaXL has a range of 4,000 km.
At 63 m long and 8 m wide, the BelugaXL has the largest cargo bay cross-section of all existing cargo aircraft worldwide.
This is the first of six BelugaXL to begin work alongside the BelugaST predecessors, with the additional five aircraft being introduced between 2020 and 2023.
Like the BelugaST, the aircraft will operate from 11 destinations in Europe, continuing to strengthen industrial capabilities and enabling Airbus to deliver on its commitments.
Source : Various Agencies