BelugaST Fleet Goes Belly-Up as Airbus Closes Cargo Airline

Weak demand and operational complexity prompt manufacturer to exit project cargo market.

Eric Kulisch

Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at 01:57 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Airbus launched a specialty freighter division to haul whale-size loads, but the business proved expensive to operate and unable to attract customers. [Credit: Airbus]

Key Takeaways:

Airbus has shut down its specialized cargo airline, Airbus Beluga Transport (AiBT), less than a year after its launch, citing significant operational challenges and weak external demand.
The BelugaST superfreighters proved uncompetitive due to a limited payload capacity (max 44 tons) and a complex, resource-intensive loading/unloading process requiring specialized equipment.
High charter costs, lengthy internal procedures for cargo approval, and the need to transport dedicated loading equipment further reduced efficiency and appeal, leading to only six external customer missions in 2024.

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Airbus has shut down its new for-hire cargo airline focused on transporting oversize shipments using the odd-shaped Beluga superfreighter because of self-described operational challenges and what appears to be weak demand for the service.

The aerospace manufacturer last week terminated Airbus Beluga Transport (AiBT), the specialized airfreight business introduced int March for hauling outsize cargo, and suspended BelugaST flights, Airbus confirmed in a statement.