The Airbus A300-600ST Super Transporter, better known as the Beluga after the whale it resembles, is a specialised wide-body freighter that Airbus used to carry wings, fuselage sections and other outsize cargo between its dispersed factories. Derived from the A300-600 through the joint venture Super Airbus Transport International formed in 1991, it first flew on 13 September 1994 and entered service in 1995, replacing the ageing Super Guppy fleet. Five were built. The larger BelugaXL, based on the A330-200, entered service in 2020 to succeed them, and the first Beluga was retired in January 2026.
Facts
Engine Class Comparison
Body StyleAircraft (no road body style) 1 Connections
Exemplifies
Source Airbus Beluga (Wikipedia)
Of Make
Source Airbus Beluga (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Airbus Beluga (Wikipedia)
Lead, first flight
Construction of the first aircraft began during September 1992; it performed its maiden flight on 13 September 1994.
Lead, retirement
The first aircraft was retired in January 2026; the others are expected to be withdrawn from service by 2027.
Design, engines
The General Electric CF6-80C2 turbofan engines used are slightly uprated
Lead, body
is a specialised wide-body airliner used to transport aircraft parts and outsize cargoes
Of Make: Airbus, Lead, name
The Airbus A300-600ST (Super Transporter) or Beluga is a specialised wide-body airliner
In Group: Wide-Body Airliners, Lead, wide-body
is a specialised wide-body airliner used to transport aircraft parts and outsize cargoes
Exemplifies: Aviation, Lead, body, aircraft
is a specialised wide-body airliner used to transport aircraft parts and outsize cargoes
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