Beluga XL’s Kolkata return scheduled for October 13: What is Beluga, and why was its landing important for India?
The Kolkata airport was the only airport in Eastern India equipped to handle such a large aircraft — which was on its first ever mission outside Europe.
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This unique aircraft is a specialised wide-body airliner designed to transport oversized cargo, including aircraft parts. (Express Photo)On Tuesday, Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (NSCBI) welcomed the Airbus Beluga XL for the first time. This massive aircraft, the largest in the Beluga series, landed in the city while carrying essential components for Airbus aircraft.
The Kolkata airport was the only airport in Eastern India equipped to handle such a large aircraft — which was on its first ever mission outside Europe. It arrived in Kolkata from Bahrain International Airport and departed for Tianjin Binhai International Airport in China. Learn more about the Beluga XL and why its landing was monumental:
Why is it called Beluga?
The Airbus Beluga gets its name from the whale it resembles. This unique aircraft is a specialised wide-body airliner designed to transport oversized cargo, including aircraft parts. The Beluga XL, in particular, is capable of carrying both wings of an Airbus A350 jetliner.
Why Kolkata?
The Beluga XL’s landing in Kolkata was made possible due to the close coordination among the Airport Authority of India (AAI), NSCBI Kolkata, the Ground Handling Agency, and Mach1 Aviation. Kolkata’s strategic location and infrastructure made it an ideal stopover for the aircraft. “Mach1 Aviation, who is engaged to arrange airport permissions, clearances from Indian ministry and statutory authorities on behalf of the Airbus Transport International, said that this is the first trip of the ABB XL out of Europe and the operator is planning many more flights in the coming future,” said an airport official.
Key differences between Beluga XL and its predecessor
The Beluga XL is larger than its predecessor, the Beluga ST. It is seven metres longer and one metre wider, providing 30% more transport capacity. The Beluga XL can carry a maximum payload of 51 tonnes, compared to the Beluga ST’s 44 tonnes. The Beluga XL has a range of 4,000 kilometres (2,200 nautical miles).
The successful landing and departure of the Beluga XL in Kolkata mark a significant milestone for Indian aviation. The airport’s ability to handle such a large aircraft demonstrates its growing capabilities and importance in the global aviation network. The Beluga XL is expected to return to Kolkata on October 13 for crew rest and refuelling, with an anticipated arrival at 6.25 am, completing its round trip between Kolkata and Tianjin.
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