Page 19 - AAA JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2022 Online Magazine

AIRCRAFT

years, in fact even before COVID-19., we were
approached by several companies from differ-
ent regions in the world asking if our Beluga
aircraft was available to perform charter flights.
In this special. We are dealing with new types of
customers in this business, freight forwarding
companies and brokers.”

Airbus expects customers in a variety of
sectors - space, energy, military, aeronautic,
maritime, oi and gas business, big business,
and humanitarian aid - to use the BelugaST
aircraft to transport outsized cargo. The aircraft
is capable of transatlantic flights.

“HELICOPTERS ARE A PERFECT
TYPE OF PAYLOAD FOR BELUGA
Solving an
AIRCRAFT AS THEY ARE QUITE

VOLUMINOUS AND LIGHT,” adds
Fazlollahi

“Similarly, the largest commercial aircraft
Outsized engines can be accommodated in a ful-
ly-dressed configuration. The oversized air
transport solution is only used when there is no
other option. The type of cargo we will be trans-
porting is not only voluminous but also highly
valuable goods. The space industry is definitely
Challenge one the industries that we are targeting with
Beluga. We know our unique dimensions will
perfect suit space companies, whether they
are based in North America, Europe, Asia or
any other part of the world.”

The Biggest, By Far
The Beluga aircraft, which is based on the
AIRBUS LAUNCHES A NEW SERVICE WITH ITS A300-600 design, has the biggest dimensions
BELUGAST FLEET TO ADDRESS THE GROWING of any cargo aircraft in the world. While the
BelugaST, which was earlier used by Airbus to
DEMAND FOR TRANSPORTING OUTSIZED CARGO transport aircraft components to different loca-
tions, has a height of 6.7 meters and is width of
Arun Sivasankaran 7.1m, the BelugaXL, which will now be utilized by
the company in place of the ST to carry aircraft
components, has a height of seven meters.
You know the air cargo sector is heading nowhere but north when According to the company, both versions of
the largest aircraft manufacturer in the world decides to step into the Beluga aircraft have a height advantage
the fray. Airbus’ new service - Airbus Beluga Transport - provides of about 50% over other cargo aircraft. While
freight companies and other potential customers in the civilian and the ST is capable of carrying a maximum pay-
military markets a solution to their large cargo transport needs. load of 40 tons, the XL has a maximum payload
The market for outsized air cargo – cargo that does not fit inside capacity of 44 tons.
a standard cargo aircraft - isn’t big, but Airbus officials say there
is plenty of unexploited potential. “The Beluga is a real game changer in this spe-
cific business. We are now offering customers
“It is a niche market; a very specific business within the air cargo new possibilities to transport by air new type
market,” says Reza Fazlollahi – Airbus Beluga Transport Project of payloads that was not possible earlier,” says
Business Development Manager. “We consider the last few Fazlollahi. “Payloads that currently need to be

ASIAN AIRLINES & AEROSPACE January/February 2022 | 19