2024-01-03 18:25:30
It all started in 2021 with the transport of a helicopter from Marignane (Bouches-du-Rhône) to Kobe, Japan. A first mission which launched the activity of Airbus Beluga Transport, the European aircraft manufacturer thus relying on its experience in the field of oversized freight. From 2024, the newly certified company will have 5 BelugaSTs, devices up to 50% higher and 10% wider than their competitors, and capable of carrying up to 40 tonnes. These aircraft, which still have around twenty years of operational life, have been replaced for internal transport within the group by the BelugaXL.
“Transporting oversized freight can be a challenge in an undercapacity market. This is why Airbus has developed a solution to meet the needs,” explains the group. The Antonov An-124, widely used by the space industry, is also more difficult to access due to the war in Ukraine, which opens up possibilities for Airbus in this market. But the aircraft manufacturer, whose headquarters is in Blagnac (Haute-Garonne), also intends to interest the oil and gas energy, large machinery and humanitarian sectors.
To meet the needs of its customers, Airbus has in particular multi-use modular pallets “compatible with helicopters, vehicles, base engines, containers, etc., with a minimum of reconfiguration”, which makes it possible to chain missions without having to return to base to change palettes. Another strong argument.
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