BelugaST

Airlifter extraordinaire

Since the mid-1990s

With one of the largest cargo holds of any civil or military aircraft flying today, the Airbus BelugaST is ideally suited to transporting oversized payloads. Also known as the A300-600ST Super Transporter, for over 20 years the BelugaST fleet played a central role in keeping Airbus’ commercial aircraft production and assembly network operating at full capacity.

Today the BelugaST fleet continues to operate under the banner of Airbus Beluga Transport, flying oversized cargo of all kinds around the world. The BelugaST delivers a high level of customer satisfaction with loading, unloading and delivery designed to be fast, safe, flexible and reliable.

Visit Airbus Beluga Transport

An outsized origin story

From Guppy to Beluga

The Super Guppy

In the 1970s, fast-growing Airbus needed an air transporter to link production sites in France, Germany, Great Britain and Spain. A solution was found in the shape of the Boeing Super Guppy. The airlifter was originally designed for NASA, and Airbus’ Super Guppies were actually built under licence in France.

Birth of the BelugaST

By the mid-1990s, Airbus needed a new air transporter to support accelerating production. The Company commissioned the A300-600 Super Transporter. The aircraft became affectionately known as the BelugaST, in a nod to the white whale it resembles. An aviation star was born!

Over 20 years of service

The BelugaST supported Airbus’ production ramp-up for over 20 years. In 2020, the five-aircraft fleet moved across to Airbus Beluga Operations for a second career.

Airbus Beluga Transport

Fast, safe, reliable

Launched in 2021, Airbus Beluga Transport operates the five-aircraft BelugaST fleet to offer outsized transport solutions.

The airlifters’ cargo loading system enables easy and efficient payload handling. To maximise turnaround capability, new loading techniques are being developed – including an automated On-Board Cargo Loader (OBCL) for missions where a loading/unloading platform is not available.

The aircraft also features a transportable heating module for the cargo compartment. It provides temperature-controlled conditions for sensitive payloads including satellites – and even famous paintings.