One of Airbus’ most impressive cargo planes, named the Beluga because of its shape, visited Mirabel airport on Saturday, a first. The place also risks becoming a preferred location for the future of the European carrier, which aims to increase its activities there in the coming years.
“For us, Mirabel is truly a strategic location for the future. There is a big need in North America, we are talking about a growing market, so we are discussing with the airport to potentially have the Beluga which will come more frequently here,” explains to The Press the head of sales and contracts at Airbus Beluga Transport, Reza Fazlollahi.
Arriving shortly after 1 p.m., the Beluga ST, for “Super Transporter”, is one of the largest transport planes in the world. Airbus used it until recently to transport parts between its different production sites around the world. Since 2019, the Beluga XL model, more modern and capable of carrying a larger load, has taken over.
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, THE PRESS
With its hold almost 38 meters long, the Beluga ST can in theory transport more than 40 tons of material, all over a distance of more than 2,700 kilometers.
This transition “opens up a unique field of possibilities” for the five ST cars, says Mr. Fazlollahi. They will now be able to focus on the delivery of equipment to the aerospace sector, but also to engine manufacturers and the helicopter sector.
The plane landed in Mirabel under the watchful gaze of dozens of curious people and “airport watchmen”, enthusiasts who came to watch the landing in contemplative silence.
The device was returning from the town of Sanford, Florida, where it delivered a satellite to the American agency Space about nine months. As for the plane itself, it is due to return to Toulouse, France, this Sunday. The stop at Mirabel was therefore mainly used to supply fuel and equipment.
“Impressive capacity”
Since its gradual replacement by the Beluga XL, the ST model has already operated two other missions last month, one of which consisted of transporting helicopters between Marseille and Japan.
In theory, the Beluga ST fleet could fly for another 20 years, after which major work will need to be carried out if Airbus wishes to extend its useful life. In short, the possibilities are “very great,” says Mr. Fazlollahi.
In the short term, his group has set itself the objective of carrying out 120 to 150 trade missions per year, over the next three or four years.
We have this opportunity to offer the market an impressive capacity, with significant dimensions, so we definitely want to maximize the possibilities.
Reza Fazlollahi, Head of Sales and Contracts at Airbus Beluga Transport
Very few aircraft in the world are comparable. For example, there is the Boeing 747-8 and the Antonov An-225, considered the largest transport aircraft in the world. The Antonov, however, was destroyed by the Putin regime at the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It has since been in the process of reconstruction.
Two models, two realities
With its hold almost 38 meters long, the Beluga ST can in theory transport more than 40 tons of material, all over a distance of more than 2,700 kilometers. The Beluga is the aircraft model with the largest volume capacity in the world, while the Antonov is the one that can support the greatest weight.
Its most recent XL model is 6 meters longer and one meter wider, as well as a 30% increase in transport capacity compared to the ST. It has the ability to digest a merchantable load of 51 tons over a distance of 4074 kilometers.
In a press release, Airbus said on Saturday that the Beluga-type aircraft is a “true symbol of innovation” and that it “stands out for its sound discretion and energy efficiency, surpassing competing services.”
The aircraft “can transport loads up to 10% wider and 50% higher than current solutions”, further argues the carrier, which hopes to attract market interest around the world.
With Agence France-Presse