TOULOUSE- European aerospace giant Airbus has officially announced the closure of its Airbus Beluga Transport operation, a recently established airline division designed to leverage its specialized cargo aircraft fleet.
The decision marks a significant strategic shift for one of the largest aerospace manufacturers in the world.
Airbus Shut down Beluga Airline
The company initially created the division to explore alternative commercial uses for its A300-600ST Beluga aircraft, which were phased out of internal logistics networks following the introduction of the larger A330-700L BelugaXL.
In November 2023, Airbus secured a French air operator’s certificate for the Beluga Transport division, signaling its commitment to the venture.
However, the airframer has now confirmed its intent to terminate the business entirely. According to a statement provided to FlightGlobal, confirming reports from the French newspaper Les Echos, all flights operated by the A300-600ST fleet have been suspended indefinitely.
Airbus acknowledged the complexity of the closure process, emphasizing that the project is in its initial stages. The company has not yet established a definitive timeline for completing the operational shutdown.
Despite the uncertainty, Airbus has prioritized supporting its employees through the anticipated social transition.
Reason Not Revealed
Airbus has not disclosed specific reasons for terminating its Beluga Transport operations, a venture launched just three years ago to explore third-party cargo transport markets.
The airline aimed to leverage five A300-600ST aircraft for transporting specialized cargo like satellites, engines, and helicopters, capitalizing on the diminishing availability of high-capacity transport options such as the Antonov An-124.