Kolkata Airport Welcomes Airbus Beluga XL

Kolkata Airport has marked its first-ever accommodation of the massive Airbus Beluga XL aircraft. The aircraft, which arrived from Bahrain, made a crucial pit stop for crew rest and refueling, underscoring Kolkata's status as the only airport in Eastern India capable of handling such large cargo planes.

Kolkata Airport has made history by accommodating the Airbus Beluga XL, the largest in the Beluga series, officials announced. This marks the first arrival of the upgraded aircraft, which landed Tuesday night after its journey from Bahrain.

The giant transport plane, designed to ferry oversized cargo like aircraft components, received a warm welcome, complete with a water salute. The stop in Kolkata was necessitated by crew rest requirements and fuel needs, highlighting the airport's unique capability in Eastern India to host such an aircraft.

After originating from the Airbus Factory in Toulouse, the Beluga XL is on a mission to deliver equipment and parts to a facility in Tianjin, China. The aircraft is set to refuel before its scheduled departure, now stationed at bay J1.

(With inputs from agencies.)