Airport Sees First Visit from Airbus Beluga Cargo Aircraft

Sunday, 1 September 2024, 03:03

Airport enthusiasts eagerly anticipated the arrival of the Airbus Beluga cargo aircraft, marking its first visit to Hong Kong. Captivating photography fans, the French-based plane maker's unique aircraft captured social media attention as it touched down from Bangkok, showcasing its significant role in transporting large aeroplane components.

South China Morning Post — Airport Sees First Visit from Airbus Beluga Cargo Aircraft

Unique Arrival of the Airbus Beluga

On Saturday evening, Hong Kong aviation enthusiasts were treated to a rare sight when an Airbus A300-608ST Beluga made a stop-off at the local airport. This marked the first time such an aircraft had visited the city.

Beluga's Origins and Purpose

The Beluga, named after an Arctic-dwelling whale, caused a stir among photographers, social media users, and even cargo workers at the city’s airport. Arriving from Bangkok, this aircraft is specially designed to transport large-scale aeroplane components from Airbus’ manufacturing facilities in the United Kingdom and Germany to the company’s production headquarters in Toulouse, France.

The Airport Authority confirmed this historic landing as the first for a Beluga in Hong Kong.
Residents hired sampan boats for the chance to photograph the aircraft from nearby waters.
A circulating video clip vividly depicts the plane approaching the runway, with the sounds of camera shutters nearly drowned out by the aircraft’s engines.

Quick Visit and Departure

After touching down at 6:46 PM on Saturday, the Beluga’s stay was brief, as flight data from Flightradar24 showed it departed at 10:37 PM, landing in Qingdao at 1:57 AM on Sunday.

This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.