Airbus has confirmed it will close its relatively young Airbus Beluga transport operation.
Air Flamer established the operation as it sought alternative use for its A300-600st Beluga fleet. This was withdrawn from the internal logistics network after the introduction of the larger A330-700L Belugaxl.
Established Airbus Beluga Transport as an airline and secured the certificate of the French aviation operator sector in November 2023.
However, Airbus says a decision has been taken to “end” the business.
“All flights operated by the (A300-600st) fleet have been suspended for now,” Airflamer told FlysGlobal, confirming a report in French newspaper Les Echos.
“The closure project has just begun and it is too early to predict a completion date,” he adds.
“One of our main priorities during this period is to support our employees during the social process.”
It did not elaborate on the reason for the closure. This is just three years after we started conducting charters to explore potential third-party markets for our aircraft.
Airbus Beluga Transport plans to use five A300-600sts to provide transport of loads such as satellites, engines and helicopters after other high-capacity types become available, especially the Antonov AN-124. That was my intention.
The A300-600STS was being transferred from Airbus Transport International, Airflamer's internal logistics division.
Airbus said last year that it planned to recruit 60 staff and use many pilots from Airbus Transport International as part of its new airline development.
