Beluga XL, world’s largest cargo plane, makes another stop at Kolkata Airport

The Beluga XL, the world’s largest cargo aircraft, made another landing at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport early Monday morning, according to an official statement. The massive aircraft arrived at 5:47 am from Tianjin Binhai International Airport in China.

The purpose of the stopover was for crew rest, refuelling, and to comply with Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), said a spokesperson from the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The Beluga XL is scheduled to depart at 3:30 pm on Tuesday, heading toward Bahrain International Airport.

Originally, the aircraft was slated to return to Kolkata on October 13 but was delayed by almost 24 hours, the AAI spokesperson added.

This marks the second time the Beluga XL has graced Kolkata’s skies, with its first visit taking place on October 8. The aircraft is part of Airbus’s Beluga series, specifically designed for transporting oversized cargo, including aircraft components. The Beluga XL is a larger and more advanced version of the Beluga ST, offering a 30 per cent increase in cargo capacity.

According to Airbus, the Beluga XL measures 207 feet in length, 62 feet in height, and boasts a wingspan of nearly 198 feet. It can carry a maximum payload of 51 tonnes, surpassing the 44-tonne capacity of the Beluga ST. Additionally, the aircraft has a range of 4,000 kilometres (2,200 nautical miles), making it a critical asset in Airbus’s global logistics operations.

“For the first time, Kolkata’s NSCBI Airport welcomed the Airbus Beluga XL, the largest in its series, carrying essential aircraft components,” airport authorities posted on X (formerly Twitter) after the plane’s initial visit. Kolkata is the only airport in Eastern India capable of handling such a large aircraft, highlighting the city’s growing prominence in international aviation.

The successful landing of the Beluga XL marks another significant milestone for Kolkata’s airport. The aircraft’s stop in Kolkata was facilitated through close coordination between the AAI, NSCBI Kolkata, the Ground Handling Agency, and Mach1 Aviation.

Resembling a whale, the Beluga XL derives its name from its distinctive shape. This specialised wide-body aircraft is essential for transporting oversized cargo, such as both wings of an Airbus A350 jetliner.

Kolkata’s strategic location and well-developed infrastructure played a crucial role in its selection as a stopover point for the Beluga XL, reinforcing its growing importance in the global aviation network.