Airbus A300-600ST Super Transporter / Beluga

The Airbus A300-600ST Super Transporter, commonly known as the Beluga, is a large transport aircraft derived from the Airbus A300-600 widebody airliner. It was developed specifically to carry large aircraft components, including wings and fuselage sections, between Airbus production facilities across Europe. Its most recognizable feature is its massively enlarged upper fuselage, which gives it a whale-like appearance reminiscent of the beluga whale. The Beluga entered service in 1995 and replaced the earlier Super Guppy aircraft that Airbus had previously relied on for component transport. A total of five Beluga aircraft were built and operated by Airbus Transport International, a subsidiary of Airbus. The type has since been largely succeeded by the newer and larger Airbus Beluga XL (A330-700L), though Belugas remain in active service. Beyond its primary role in Airbus supply chain logistics, the Beluga has occasionally been chartered for outsized cargo missions, including humanitarian operations. Its main deck cargo hold volume of approximately 1,400 cubic meters makes it one of the largest cargo volume aircraft ever built.