Flying whale: Airbus' Beluga XL soars into skies for the first time
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The behemoth
The A330-743L Beluga XL has grown six meters (20 feet) longer and one metre wider from the Beluga ST, stretching its carrying capacity by 30 percent.
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Put to move plane parts
The five planes being developed will be used to ferry around parts for building Airbus's other range of planes at its production sites across Europe.
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Five similar cargo aircraft to be built
The 'flying whale' will now undergo a 10 month flying test to get the certification. If things go as planned, the aircraft will be put into service next year. The European aerospace giant plans to build five similar cargo aircraft by 2023.