India Welcomes Airbus Beluga XL in Kolkata

Kolkata airport on Tuesday marked a historic moment by accommodating the Airbus Beluga XL, the largest aircraft in the Beluga series, for the first time.
The aircraft, which landed at 10.43pm IST, had arrived from Bahrain International Airport as part of its journey transporting equipment from Airbus’s Toulouse facility to their unit in Tianjin, China.
The Aircraft is originating from Toulouse (LFBO/TLS) Airbus Factory, and transporting some equipment’s and part to their another unit based in Tianjin (ZBTJ), China.
The flight has arrived at kolkata for crew rest, crew flight duty time limitations (FDTL) and fuel stop as Kolkata is the only suitable airport in eastern India to accommodate this type of aircraft.

Upgraded version
The Beluga XL, an advanced model of the original Beluga ST, boasts improved performance and increased cargo capacity. Known as Airbus A330-743L, it was specifically designed to transport oversized cargo, including essential aircraft components like wings and fuselages.
Kolkata airport has previously hosted the Beluga ST, but this is the first visit for the larger XL model.
Stopover for rest and refueling
Kolkata was chosen as a stopover for the Beluga XL to accommodate crew rest, comply with flight duty time limitations (FDTL), and refuel. Among airports in eastern India, Kolkata is uniquely suited to handle such an aircraft, making it a strategic choice for the Beluga XL’s journey.
Impressive size and transport capabilities
The Beluga XL is 63.1 metre in length with a wingspan of 60.3 metre. Its payload capacity reaches approximately 51 tons, and its expansive cargo hold can carry two A350 wings simultaneously. This enhanced capacity allows Airbus to transport larger components in fewer trips, streamlining their logistics.
Originating from Airbus’s primary facility in Toulouse, France, the Beluga XL’s journey underscores the company’s extensive global operations, as it ferries crucial parts between Airbus units. The visit not only demonstrates Kolkata airport’s capacity to handle large aircraft but also highlights its role in supporting Airbus’s worldwide supply chain.

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