Flying Whale Takes Final Bow as Airbus Retires BelugaST for Larger BelugaXL

After 30 years, Airbus has retired its BelugaST (Super Transporter) number 4 (F-GSTD)—one of the five original ST fleet.

Since entering service in 1995, the oversized BelugaST fleet has played a central role in carrying aircraft parts around the world. 

Following the retirement of BelugaST fleet by 2027, Airbus will depend solely on its BelugaXL fleet with a wider fuselage and more capacity.

Airbus has retired its BelugaST (Super Transporter) number 4 (F-GSTD)—one of the five original ST fleet—after three decades as the European aircraft-maker transition to solely using the A330-based BelugaXL fleet with a wider fuselage and more capacity.

Since entering service in 1995, the oversized BelugaST fleet has played a central role in carrying complete sections of Airbus aircraft from different production sites around Europe to the final assembly lines in Toulouse, France, and Hamburg, Germany.

Following its retirement on June 4, BelugaST 4 has now been proudly relocated to its new permanent home at the Aeroscopia Museum in Toulouse, where it joins a collection of historic aircraft that includes the Concorde, the “Super Guppy,” and the A380.

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Airbus’ cargo plane was nicknamed the Beluga (inset) for its bulbous head and whale-like shape.

“This aircraft is a true testament to the industrial legacy and engineering excellence that have defined Airbus for over five decades,” said Jean-Pierre Cousserans, Head of Airbus Transport International (ATI), the subsidiary managing all of the company’s transport activities.

“Moving it into its final position at Aeroscopia was a special moment for all of us. Knowing it will stay in Toulouse to inspire future pilots, engineers and all those that love aviation makes this final handover one of the most rewarding milestones of my career.”

The first of the original Beluga fleet (BelugaST 5) was retired in the United Kingdom earlier this year. The aircraft touched down at Airbus Broughton in January, where it will be transformed into a dedicated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) support facility.

Officially known as Airbus A300-600ST (Super Transporter), this cargo plane was nicknamed the Beluga for its bulbous head and whale-like shape. Based on the A300-600 platform, the oversized cargo aircraft is specifically designed to transport large aircraft components.

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