Airbus Beluga Transport (BCO, Toulouse Blagnac) obtained its Air Operator's Certificate - FR.AOC.0152 - on November 13, 2023, with a single A300-600ST transferred from its sister carrier, Airbus Transport International (4Y, Toulouse Blagnac). The start-up has since applied for a foreign air carrier permit (FACP) and exemption to begin offering cargo charter flights to the United States in February 2024.
The French cargo specialist, owned by Airbus, was set up to commercialise the fleet of five A300-600ST Belugas, specially modified oversized-load freighters designed to transport large aircraft parts between Airbus's various production sites. ATI is replacing the aircraft with larger A330-700STs, which have thus allowed the manufacturer to proffer the older type to the charter market.
According to Airbus Beluga Transport's filing, it has so far inducted only one aircraft, F-GSTB (msn 751). Three other A300-600STs continue to operate flights within Europe under Airbus Transport International's AOC, while the fifth unit has been in storage since April 2021.
Airbus Beluga Transport did not reveal any specific routes, destinations, or customers in the US.
