**A Legendary Cargo Aircraft Finds Its Final Home** On June 24, 2026, Airbus announced that one of its iconic BelugaST cargo aircraft (A300-600ST, registration F-GSTD) has been permanently installed at the Aeroscopia museum in Toulouse, just steps away from the assembly lines where it once delivered critical components. This marks the end of nearly 30 years of operational service for the aircraft, which first entered service in 1995. The BelugaST now joins a prestigious collection that includes the Concorde, the Super Guppy, and the A380, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the logistical backbone of European aviation. **The Unsung Hero of Airbus’s Industrial Model** The five BelugaST aircraft were the backbone of Airbus’s multi-site production system, transporting massive fuselage sections, wings, and other large components between factories in France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Their unique design, with a bulbous upper fuselage and a swing-up nose door, allowed them to carry outsized loads that no other aircraft could handle. This logistical network was essential for Airbus to maintain its distributed manufacturing model, which relies on specialized plants across Europe. Since 2014, the BelugaST fleet has been gradually replaced by the larger BelugaXL, based on the A330-200, which can carry up to two A350 wings simultaneously. By mid-2027, the six BelugaXLs will be the sole logistics solution for the group. **A Symbolic Transition and a New Mission** For Jean-Pierre Cousserans, director of Airbus Transport International (ATI), the retirement of the BelugaST is deeply symbolic: “This aircraft is a true testament to the industrial heritage and engineering excellence that have defined Airbus for over fifty years. Seeing it join Aeroscopia, in Toulouse, to inspire future generations is a particularly significant milestone.” The aircraft’s new role is educational: starting June 25, it will be accessible to the public as part of the museum’s permanent outdoor exhibition, helping visitors understand the complex logistics behind commercial aircraft production. Another BelugaST has already been repurposed as a STEM education platform at Airbus’s Broughton site in Wales. **Why This Matters for ATPL and ATC Students** For ATPL students, the BelugaST story illustrates the critical role of specialized cargo aircraft in global supply chains—a topic often covered in operational and logistics modules. ATC students can learn from the unique handling requirements of outsize cargo aircraft, which often require special procedures for taxi, takeoff, and landing due to their unusual aerodynamics. Understanding the transition from BelugaST to BelugaXL also provides real-world insight into fleet modernization and its impact on airport operations and airspace management.