Beautiful Smile for Airbus' BelugaXL

The first BelugaXL has rolled out of the paint shop unveiling a special livery that makes it look like a beluga whale.

The livery was one of six choices submitted to Airbus employees through a poll where 20,000 people participated. With 40% of the votes in favour, the smiley livery won.

The BelugaXL will now undertake ground tests before its first flight scheduled for later this year.

The decision to build the BelugaXL was taken in November 2014 to address the transport and ramp-up capacity requirements for Airbus beyond 2019.

The new oversized air transporter is based on the A330-200 Freighter, with a large re-use of existing components and equipment.

The first of five BelugaXLs will fly in summer 2018 and enter into service in 2019.

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