But it’s not the end…

It’s not often we hear bad news from Airbus, but the company will close its Beluga airline

Airbus Beluga Transport was intended to satisfy demand for carrying outsize cargo. The A300-600ST Beluga were transferred to Airbus Beluga Transport’s (AiBT) register after Airbus announced in January 2024 that AiBT had secured its French Air Operator Certificate (AOC), enabling it to operate as an airline using the BelugaST freighters. The ST fleet was withdrawn from its internal logistics network after introduction of the larger A330-700L BelugaXL.

On 24 January 2025, Airbus announced its decision to “terminate” the business. The announcement did not provide a reason or completion date, concentrating instead on providing support for affected employees. As part of the new airline’s development, 60 personnel were recruited and there were plans to use a number of pilots from Airbus Transport International whilst training additional crew.

The closure comes just 3 years after it started conducting charters to explore the potential third-party market for the aircraft. Airbus Beluga Transport had intended to use the five A300-600STs to offer transport of loads such as satellites, engines or helicopters, after the availability of other high-capacity types became scarce. Especially those operated by Antonov.

Some facts about the BelugaXL –

• Payload capacity 51 tonnes and a range of 2,200 nautical miles
• As long as two blue whales and as tall as a three-storey office block
• Its hold is "big enough to swallow 26 small cars, or seven elephants”
• Can accommodate the largest A350 fuselage section or two of its 30-metre long wings
• Fleet is forecast to reach 9,500 flight hours annually by 2027, compared to a planned 6,500 flight hours in 2024
• Can operate with a blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

As usual, there is misinformation circulating. The BelugaXL will still be operating and there’s a small chance that the BelugaST may be seen again. Watch this space…

In other news…

Cambridge Airport CBG – as you may be aware, the airport will be closed to all traffic by 2030 at the latest. In 2019, Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group (MADG) announced it would be moving to Cranfield. Officially there were no passenger flights from 2016, although BA/SunAir temporarily continued to operate to GOT. When finally vacated, it will become a housing and business unit site.

Onboard fume/smoke events - on board seems to be a daily occurrence around the world, according to the many reports on The Aviation Herald website. Who/what is causing this? Is airline maintenance not replacing worn seals or overfilling when topping up fluids? When these liquids come into contact with heat, toxic vapours are produced which can appear as smoke or a haze. On the flightdeck, it’s often necessary for the crew to don their oxygen masks. Cabin crew can often breathe in the toxic air for longer, before donning a smoke hood.

There’s not always an easy answer but this is a topic that needs to be addressed so that future deaths can be eliminated.

And finally…

Severe weather across UK and Europe has caused major disruption to flights. For YouTube live streamers, it’s brought plenty of opportunities to film landings at major airports. Sadly, in adding drama to their commentary, they move away from the safety ethos. No, the pilots are not being brave when landing in such conditions. It’s what they’re trained for, spending hours in the simulator. Often the sadist training pilot will introduce other hazards such as engine failure, fog, etc. So the next time you’re watching the crabbing on approach, this is not being done for the live stream benefit. It’s to get aircraft, passengers and crew safely on the ground!

Information courtesy of Air Cargo News, Airbus

Images courtesy of Airbus, Wikipedia

©TPSC, LadyJet2 and photo/diagram suppliers