Page 32 - World Airnews Magazine March 2021

COMMERCIAL

ETOPS FOR BELUGAXL

irbus is to seek extended twin-en-
Agined operati ons (ETOPS) approv-
al for the BelugaXL outsize transporter,
in order to support commercial services

involving overwater flights.
Three BelugaXLs, based on the A330,
have been built, the most recent introduced
in October 2020. Another three will be
manufactured, the last two of which will
have 180min ETOPS approval, according to
BelugaXL chief engineer Pascal Vialleton.
Vialleton disclosed the ETOPS plan during
a recent Royal Aeronautical Society event.

He said Airbus wants to have the final

two aircraft, due to arrive in 2022 and
2023, to have the flexibility to conduct range than the -600ST, and having obtain approval for Cat III Autoland on the

transatlantic flights, pointing to the ETOPS capability would enable the larger aircraft. This requires an extensive effort

possibility of satellite transport to launch aircraft to serve as a support for future to test Autoland under various conditions,
stations in North America. -600ST services. including crosswind tests performed at

Vialleton said the current A300-600ST “This is why we’re developing ETOPS for Newcastle in December last year.

Beluga fleet will be phased out as the XLs the XL,” said Vialleton. Vialleton said Airbus needs to justify
arrive. Demand on the -600ST fleet rose Designated the A330-700L, the BelugaXL design service targets of 33,000 cycles,

from 6,000h in 2014 to 8,600h in 2017, but was developed to support the A350 pointing out that it had achieved only
the XL offers capacity relief because it is programme. 3,200h at the time of type certification. “So

able to accommodate two A350 wings at He said that Airbus has also considered there’s quite some activity remaining on

a time. Each XL will operate about 1,000 other options for the -600ST fleet, pointing the stress side,” he said.

flights and 1,700h per year. out that it can be used to “carry whatever is The air-conditioning system had to

This capacity strategy rather than the big and needs to be transported” - although be re-examined because XL pilots were
-600ST’s age, said Vialleton, is the main unlike aircraft such as the Antonov An-124, experiencing a cockpit temperature

reason for the fleet renewal: “We still can it cannot unload at ground level, so a mobile differential in winter. Vialleton said this was

use the -600ST. But what to do with it?” platform stored in the aircraft could be “really not comfortable”, but the review

He said Airbus has initiated a project to necessary for such roles. of the ventilation meant changing the

propose new services for the -600ST, for Airbus is looking to improve the XL’s airflow in the cockpit, requiring additional

which 180min ETOPS was obtained in 2010. capabilities following its entry into service in flight tests to ensure no effect on smoke

Airbus had previously signalled that January last year. Its original flight-test aircraft detection in areas such as the avionics bay.

it was not seeking ETOPS authorisation will become part of the operational XL fleet, Airbus has also addressed a problem of

because the aircraft’s relatively short said Vialleton, but is likely to be the last to premature wearing on doors, and certified

European logistics hops did not warrant it, be introduced, joining once its on-board test operation of the main forward loading

and this would generate developmental instrumentation has been removed. door with up to 30kt crosswind and a 40kt
cost savings. The airframer has been conducting a tailwind, which Vailleton describes as

But the XL has substantially greater series of flight tests, about 60h so far, to “quite impressive”. Q
NEWS
WIZZ AIR ABU DHABI INTO EGYPT
steeped in history located on The airline began operations with its

Mediterranean waters. The UAE and inaugural flight to Athens on January

ow-cost airline Wizz Air Abu Dhabi Egypt provide a popular travel corridor 15 from the Abu Dhabi International

Lhas begun fl ights between Abu for residents and tourists in the region, Airport. It said at the time, that the

and we are committed to providing

initial few destinations would include

Dhabi and Alexandria in Egypt. options that are more viable and Thessaloniki, Alexandria, Kutaisi,

According to the airline’s website, one affordable for travellers,” said Kees Van Larnaca, Odesa and Yerevan.

way fares from Abu Dhabi to the Borg El Schaick, managing director of Wizz Air It has also revealed plans to offer

Arab International Airport in Alexandria Abu Dhabi. four weekly flights to Israel’s Tel Aviv

have already started. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has four brand (reaching daily flights during peak

“Alexandria is an exciting destination new Airbus A321neo aircraft. frequency). Q

World Airnews | March 2021
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