The Airbus BelugaXL (A330-743L) is a large transport aircraft based on the Airbus A330-200F built by Airbus to replace the original Airbus BelugaST (Super Transporter) to transport very large aircraft components, such as wings. [3] .

Construction of the first aircraft began during September 1992; it performed its maiden flight on 13 September 1994. Entering service in September 1995, the Super Transporter was a larger, faster, and more efficient aircraft than the preceding Super Guppies.

Oct 26, 2020 · The XL3 arrives in the UK Registered F-GXLI, the third Beluga flew from Toulouse to Chester in the North West of England. Taking off at 11:04 this morning, it flew for two hours and 34 minutes before landing at 12:39 local at Chester Hawarden Airport (CEG).

Based on the A330-200, the BelugaXL was designed to carry the largest A350 fuselage section or two 30-metre wings. The BelugaXL performed its maiden flight in 2018, featuring the iconic 'smiley' livery that was chosen by Airbus employees in …

Jul 2, 2020 · Airbus A330-743L Beluga XL with registration F-GXLI airframe details and operator history including first flight and delivery dates, seat configurations, engines, fleet numbers and names

Sized at seven meters longer and one meter wider than the original Beluga, the Beluga XL provides 30% extra transport capacity. It features twin Trent 700 engines. Airbus plans on a fleet of six new-generation Beluga XL versions, which will operate in parallel with the five in-service Belugas before replacing them completely.

Apr 20, 2024 · BelugaXL holds a smiling-faced livery, resembling a beluga whale. The Airbus A300-600ST (Super Transporter), or Beluga as most people know it, is an oversized cargo aircraft used to transport large airplane parts, such as wings and fuselage sections, to …

Oct 28, 2020 · The company shared a set of photographs taken this week of XL3 freshly painted with the now-familiar Beluga whale livery. The larger BelugaXL has been designed to carry two A350 wings in one trip, from Broughton to assembly plants in Europe, the current BelugaST can only transport one wing.

Why a BelugaXL ? The Beluga ST cannot carry 2 A350 wings at the same time Beluga ST Flight Hours A320 : ref A330 : x3 A350 : x7 A system reaching its limits Up to 5 flights / day, 6 days / week 8600FH in 2017

The BelugaXL has entered into service, providing Airbus with 30% extra transport capacity in order to support the on-going production ramp-up of commercial aircraft programmes. The aircraft, which is an integral part of Airbus’ industrial system, made its first operational flight on 9 …