Airbus announced that its sixth and final BelugaXL carrier had taken its maiden flight on July 21, marking the completion of the European planemaker's project to replace its ageing Beluga fleet for oversized cargo.

"Big week for our BelugaXL! As our 6th and final gentle giant takes to the skies for the first time today, we also celebrate the 5-year anniversary since the first flight of our first outsized super transporter," Airbus Aircraft said in a LinkedIn post. 

"We can't wait to see her join her XL siblings flying aircraft sections between Airbus production sites and supporting outsized cargo missions," the update added.

Airbus said on its website that the BelugaXL will gradually replace the existing five-member BelugaST fleet — flying between 11 destinations around Europe.

 [Source: Airbus]

The planemaker said in addition to the significant use of existing components and equipment, including Rolls Royce's Trent 772B engines, the Airbus A330-based BelugaXL fleet incorporates newly-developed elements, including its lowered cockpit, a highly-enlarged cargo bay structure and modified rear and tail section.

It is seven metres longer, and one metre wider than its BelugaST predecessor, and the BelugaXL also provides 30% extra transport capacity. 

Airbus noted that the BelugaXL has a range of 4,000 km (2,200 nm) and a maximum payload of 51 tonnes.