Airbus leans towards A330-200 to replace Beluga fleet

Airbus recently indicated to Flightglobal that the A300-600ST fleet would probably remain in service for another 10 years or so.

But while the fleet could remain in service until around 2025, the cost of operating the type will increase as the aircraft age. The airframer has initiated a study to replace the A300-600ST fleet in the long term.

"No decision for immediate launch has been taken," it stresses. But to address any capacity limitations beyond the Fly 10,000 scheme as well as the ageing of the current Beluga fleet, Airbus is likely to aim for 2018-20 as a window to have a new aircraft available.

Several airframes are being considered as a platform for a Beluga successor, notably the A330-200 and -300, as well as the A340-500 and even the A300-600.

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/airbus-leans-towards-a330-200-to-replace-beluga-fleet-382215/