US carrier in talks to Airbus to fly Beluga aircraft
In recent years, the American airline National Air Cargo has been willing to open up a number of fronts to expand its operations worldwide. The pandemic even helped the company in this task, at a time when airplanes were scarce and international air freight was worth a fortune.
Having taken advantage of the period, the company also increased its fleet and the number of contracts all over the world, including in Brazil. And this momentum is continuing, with the company poised to make a firmer entry into the large cargo market.
To this end, it has acquired two Boeing 747-400Fs, factory-built as cargo aircraft and therefore with the front cargo door, so important for the shipment of bulky items. These aircraft are already starting to fly as of next month in National’s fleet.
However, its ambitions do not stop there. As reported by Freight Waves, site specialized in cargo transport, the company also wants to operate with Airbus A300-600ST aircraft, the popular Beluga, and is talking to the European manufacturer about it. Its objective would be to expand the offer of products, being able to carry tanks, yachts, satellites, and electrical transformers, among others.
The operation of the Belugas, if it comes to fruition, will not be the responsibility of National, since it is a special aircraft that requires specialized pilots. Therefore, Airbus’ own air charter unit would be the operator and National would be the cargo agent (responsible for closing the transport contracts with the final customers).
With few units produced, the Beluga has only recently been employed in charters because Airbus has created a modernized version of the aircraft, the Beluga XL. Understanding that the jets still have a certain useful life ahead of them, Airbus has created a charter business line to use them.
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