An Iconic Airbus BelugaST Readies for New Mission in the UK
•February 10, 2026
0
Companies Mentioned
Airbus
Why It Matters
Transforming the historic BelugaST into a STEM hub creates a pipeline for future aerospace talent and deepens community engagement, while Airbus’s shift to the BelugaXL fleet modernizes its European logistics network.
Key Takeaways
- •BelugaST retired, moved to Broughton for STEM hub.
- •Aircraft will host interactive STEM programs aligned with curriculum.
- •Supports UK aerospace talent pipeline and community engagement.
- •BelugaXL becomes sole Airbus component transporter from 2027.
- •Final flight from Bordeaux marked 30‑year service.
Pulse Analysis
The Airbus BelugaST has long been a workhorse of European aerospace logistics, ferrying massive wing sections from the UK to assembly lines across the continent. Its distinctive bulbous shape made it an engineering marvel, but after three decades of service the fleet was slated for retirement in 2025. By preserving one of these aircraft at its Broughton plant, Airbus not only safeguards a piece of aviation heritage but also signals a broader industry trend of repurposing legacy assets for educational and community value.
Converting the BelugaST into a STEM outreach center aligns with the UK’s strategic push to boost science and engineering enrollment. Interactive exhibits inside the aircraft will demonstrate aerodynamics, materials science, and systems engineering, directly tying into national curriculum standards for primary and secondary schools. Partnerships with local educators ensure that workshops are curriculum‑relevant, offering students hands‑on experiences that textbooks alone cannot provide. This initiative positions Airbus as a corporate citizen invested in cultivating the next generation of pilots, engineers, and innovators.
The transition to the larger BelugaXL fleet, slated to become Airbus’s sole component transporter by mid‑2027, reflects a shift toward greater efficiency and capacity in the supply chain. While the XL handles higher payloads across eleven European sites, the BelugaST’s new role supports the talent pipeline essential for sustaining that advanced logistics network. By linking heritage aircraft with modern educational goals, Airbus reinforces its commitment to both operational excellence and long‑term workforce development in the competitive aerospace sector.
An iconic Airbus BelugaST readies for new mission in the UK
Broughton, UK, 29 January 2026 – One of Airbus’ BelugaST aircraft, formally among the largest in the world, will be re‑homed in the UK, with plans to turn it into a Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) support facility at Airbus Broughton. Schools and community groups across the UK will gain access to the world of aviation through the Beluga, ensuring its legacy continues to fly in the minds of future aerospace pioneers.
The super‑jumbo touched down in Broughton, North Wales, at around 11 am GMT after completing its final flight from Bordeaux, bringing down the curtain on a remarkable 30‑year career as the backbone of Airbus’ industrial logistics. The BelugaST fleet, first launched in 1994, has predominantly been used to transport wings made in the UK to other Airbus facilities around Europe.
Gareth Davies, Head of Airbus Broughton, said, “It’s a proud and incredibly exciting moment for Broughton. This particular Beluga first took flight 25 years ago, and since then has played a crucial part in transporting our wings from Broughton to Airbus’ mainland European sites. By transforming this aircraft into an education facility, we aren’t just preserving our history, we are using it to fuel the future of UK aerospace and inspire the talent of tomorrow.”
“The focus will be to promote STEM in a fun and interactive way to inspire young people to consider a career in science, technology, engineering and maths,” Davies added, noting that the STEM activities will be designed in conjunction with local schools to ensure alignment with the national curriculum.
Didier Puxeddu, the BelugaST pilot who flew the last mission, said, “Flying the Beluga has always been a unique privilege, and bringing the ST5 home to Broughton for the last time was no different. As we made our final approach, we were all too aware of the history behind us. Knowing this aircraft will now stay here to inspire future pilots and engineers makes this touchdown one of the most rewarding of my career.”
Beluga enthusiasts will still be able to see the replacement of the BelugaST, the even larger BelugaXL, in the skies, transporting Airbus components to 11 sites around Europe. Airbus announced the retirement of the BelugaST fleet earlier in 2025. From mid‑2027, the larger BelugaXL fleet will be the sole transporter of components for Airbus.
How Airbus will use the BelugaST to focus on STEM
The Beluga will enable STEM topics, linked to the UK curriculum for primary and secondary schools, to come to life. It will also be used to showcase the history of aviation in the UK. The focus will be to promote STEM in a fun and interactive way to inspire young people to consider a career in science, technology, engineering and maths, using the BelugaST as a visual centrepiece.
0
Comments
Want to join the conversation?
Loading comments...