Airbus Transport International (4Y, Toulouse Blagnac) will take delivery of its first new Beluga transport aircraft in mid-2019 with the existing fleet of five freighters to be retired by 2025.
In a statement, parent Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) announced plans to develop and produce five new Beluga transport aircraft capable of hauling parts and large aircraft components for its A350 programme between company production sites in Europe.
"To industrially accompany the A350 XWB ramp-up and other aircraft production rate increases, Airbus took the decision to launch the development and production of five new Belugas," the manufacturer said.
Like their predecessor the A300-600ST, which was based on the A300-600 airframe, the new variant will be based on the A330 airframe. It will feature a distinctive lowered cockpit and will re-use a large number of the current fleet's existing components and equipment. However, the cargo bay structure as well as the rear-end and tail will be newly developed.
