On 19 July, Airbus Beluga XL operated the first flight. For certification, the first Beluga XL will operate up to 600 flight hours during 10 months. Following from 2019 to enter the operational service and start replacing the current Beluga aircraft.
We remind you that Beluga aircraft are used by Airbus to transport fuselage parts to the aircraft assembly lines. The current Beluga fleet cannot fulfill some transport tasks. Certain components of the A350 XWB are larger than the cargo area of the current Beluga. But the new Beluga XL will solve this problem.
Airbus Beluga XL filmed in flight
Hundreds of people (plane lovers, media representatives, Airbus officials and company employees) attended the event in Toulouse. Airbus Beluga XL offered a show on the ground, but also in the air. Watch unique footage shot on the ground and in flight!