Last year, Airbus decided to build six Beluga XLs instead of five. In June 2020, the aircraft manufacturer therefore presented the third finished model. Now the aircraft with the registration number F-GXLI has started operations.

On Monday 26 October the third Airbus Beluga XL flew from Toulouse to Chester in Great Britain. Upon arrival at Hawarden airport, the whale-shaped plane flapped its wings.

Replacement for the previous generation

Airbus uses the huge freighters, each with a payload of 50.5 tons, to transport aircraft parts between its factories. The six Belugas XL will replace the five Belugas of the previous generation.