An Airbus BelugaST aircraft, once recognised as one of the largest planes in the world, has arrived in the UK, where it will begin a new chapter as an educational asset. The aircraft has been allocated to Airbus Broughton in North Wales and is set to be converted into a Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) support facility, offering schools and community groups a rare opportunity to engage directly with the world of aviation and aerospace.
The aircraft arrived at Airbus Broughton at approximately 11am GMT, completing its final journey from Bordeaux and marking the end of a service life that spanned three decades. Throughout its operational career, the BelugaST played a central role in Airbus’ manufacturing network, most notably transporting wings produced in the UK to assembly sites across Europe. The fleet entered service in 1994 and became a familiar sight in Airbus logistics operations.
“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.”
– Gareth Davies, Head of Airbus Broughton.
He also explained that the activities developed inside the aircraft will be created in partnership with local schools, ensuring they complement the national curriculum and support classroom learning.
“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.”
– Didier Puxeddu, the BelugaST pilot who flew the last mission.
While the BelugaST fleet is being phased out, aviation enthusiasts will continue to see Airbus’ distinctive transport aircraft in the skies. The larger BelugaXL has taken over component transport duties across 11 Airbus sites in Europe. Airbus confirmed the retirement of the BelugaST fleet earlier in 2025, with the BelugaXL set to operate as the sole transporter of Airbus components from mid-2027.
If you want to meet companies at the forefront of aviation innovation and skills development, contact us today about our upcoming MTB Aviation events.
