Airbus Beluga XL super-transporter lands at Nội Bài Airport

The Airbus Beluga XL, a specialized super-transporter, made its first appearance in Vietnam in November 2024, landing at Nội Bài International Airport to refuel during its journey.

Designed with a distinctive shape resembling a white whale, the Beluga XL features a lowered cockpit and a redesigned fuselage to accommodate massive aircraft components. The aircraft measures 63.1 meters in length, 18.9 meters in height, and has a wingspan of 60.3 meters. It possesses a maximum payload capacity of 51 tons and a flight range of approximately 4,000 km.

The Beluga XL provides a 30% increase in transport capacity compared to its predecessor, the Beluga ST. Its massive cargo hold is capable of transporting the largest fuselage of an A350 or two A350 wings simultaneously. The aircraft's nose is specially designed to flip open, allowing for the loading of oversized cargo.