Airbus has obtained the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to operate in the United States. Airbus Beluga Transport (AiBT) is the brand under which the European manufacturer markets flights for oversized cargo using its A300-600ST Beluga aircraft.
The AiBT certification to operate cargo flights in the U.S. will enable the company to expand its operations and attract new customers in the American continent.
AiBT focuses its business on various industrial sectors, including aerospace, gas, oil, and electric power providers, as well as the military sector. Airbus has aimed to capture a market share left vacant by the total destruction of the Antonov AN-225 and the sanctions imposed on Russia, the largest operator of AN-124 aircraft.
The application AiBT submitted to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) aimed to obtain the foreign air carrier exemption and authorization to provide foreign cargo and mail charter air transportation services.
The authorization includes operating these charter flights from any point or points in the U.S. to any point or points in any member of the European Common Aviation Area.
Airbus’s new venture began operations in December 2021, deploying A300-600ST Beluga aircraft for cargo transport. Previously, these planes were solely dedicated to transporting large aircraft sections to various final assembly lines of the European manufacturer.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has favored Airbus Beluga Transport, as Ukraine unfortunately lost its flagship cargo plane, the AN-225, and only a few AN-124 remain operational.
On the other hand, due to the war, Russia has faced numerous sanctions and restrictions, preventing its aircraft from flying over airspace associated with Ukraine or NATO. This hinders the Russian company Volga-Dnepr from deploying its 13 Antonov AN-124 anywhere in the world, leaving the door open for the A300-600ST Beluga.
