Airbus shuts the door on 'Flying your outsized cargo'

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has announced that it is shutting down Airbus Beluga Transport (AiBT) and ceasing all its operations.

Airbus launched its outsized air cargo service, Airbus Beluga Transport, in January 2022, while on 8 January 2024, it announced that the subsidiary had obtained an Air Operator Certificate (AOC).

What was the reason?

While the manufacturer has not disclosed any official reasons for the termination of operations, an Airbus spokesperson, in a statement to The STAT Trade Times, said: “It is a standard governance for Airbus to frequently review the business performance of an affiliate together with the management, address structural losses, propose alternative solutions and take the necessary decision to protect its employees and assets while also remaining transparent towards its customers.”

The spokesperson further added: “The overall air freight demand remains high, as outlined in our 2024 Global Market Forecast for the next 20 years. However, we have observed some activities shifting to sea transport. Overall, the development of the cargo market is not the reason for Airbus Beluga Transport to cease its operations.”

What’s next for the BelugaST fleet?

Airbus Beluga Transport has operated four BelugaST (Super Transporter) aircraft, registered as F-GSTB, F-GSTC, F-GSTD, and F-GSTF. According to Planespotters.net, all these aircraft are currently parked. Their respective ages are as follows: F-GSTB: 28.8 years, F-GSTC: 27.8 years, F-GSTD: 26.6 years, and F-GSTF: 24.1 years.

The BelugaST, also known as the A300-600ST, is a specialised wide-body airliner designed for transporting outsized cargo, including large freight and aircraft components.

With Airbus closing Airbus Beluga Transport, these aircraft will now be managed by Airbus Transport International. It operates a fleet of six BelugaXL aircraft, also known as the A330-700L. The BelugaXL has a payload capacity of 51 tonnes, compared to the BelugaST’s capacity of 47 tonnes.

Regarding the future of the BelugaST, Airbus spokesperson stated: “No decision has been made yet on the mid-term future of the BelugaST. In the short term, they will be managed under the AOC of Airbus Transport International (ATI), which operates the fleet of BelugaXL. The extent to which ATI will operate the BelugaST is subject to ongoing planning.”

Future plans for Airbus in the oversized cargo market

“While it is too early to present other solutions for the oversized cargo market at this moment, Airbus continues to play an active role in the air cargo market. Airbus’ product portfolio includes various offerings, such as P2F conversions and the development of the A350F,” the Airbus spokesperson stated.

Additionally, the spokesperson added: “The BelugaST is a special freighter with a main cargo deck designed for outsized cargo payloads. In terms of ground operations, a mission with the BelugaST requires specific handling procedures, including a dedicated trained crew and a tailored jig to manage the loading and unloading of shipments. Moreover, additional certification requirements apply for payloads, and the loading and unloading process takes longer.”

Given Airbus’ responses, it appears that low demand in the outsized cargo market, combined with operational challenges, has led to its closure.