Airbus Beluga XL Rolled Out

The first of five Beluga XLs rolled-out at Toulouse this week. A second A330F to be converted to a Beluga XL is in final assembly in Toulouse. Photo: P Masclet/Airbus

Airbus has this week rolled out the first Beluga XL at Toulouse.

This is the first of five examples of the next-generation in-house Airbus transport aircraft, which will replace the current Belugas.

The aircraft will be used to transport subassemblies and parts between the various Airbus factories and assembly lines around Europe.

The aircraft is due to fly in mid-2018 and following flight-testing and certification enter service in 2019.

The Beluga XL uses the A330 Freighter airframe and will be 6,000kg (13,227lb) more payload capability than the current Beluga.