Kolkata Airport welcomed giant Airbus Beluga XL, the largest Airbus Beluga series aircraft, an official said on Wednesday. The Beluga XL is a larger and upgraded version of Beluga ST.
As per the Airbus website, the total length of Beluga XL aircraft is 207 ft and its height is 62 ft. Whereas, the wing span is noted to be 197 ft and 10 inches.
“The Beluga XL took its initial flight in 2018, and later received the type certification in November 2019, from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) airworthiness authority. Making way for the first Beluga XL’s service entry in January 2020”, the website stated.
Kolkata’s Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport had earlier hosted the ST series aircraft. However on Tuesday Night, it was for the first time, that Kolkata airport welcomed the XL series aircraft, Airports Authority of India (AAI) spokesperson in Kolkata said in a statement on Wednesday.
“It is for the first time that Kolkata’s Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport has welcomed the Airbus Beluga XL, the biggest in its series. The aircraft is carrying essential components and has halted in Kolkata for crew rest, refuelling and, as it’s the only airport in Eastern India equipped to handle such an aircraft,” the Kolkata airport posted on X.
The aircraft flew from the Toulouse Airbus factory, and is transporting some essential equipments and parts to another unit in Tianjin, China, an official spokesperson stated.
The aircraft has three pilots along with an engineer.
The Beluga XL (Airbus A330-743L) is one amongst the large transport aircrafts designed by the Airbus to carry oversized cargo, primarily airplane components like wings and fuselages.
The Beluga XL aircraft will be refuelled on Wednesday evening and the expected time of its departure is 5.50 pm. The aircraft is parked on J1 bay at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport.