26-01-2025
Unique smiley Airbus Beluga XL plane spotted flying over West Midlands
PLANE spotters in the West Midlands were treated this week as a giant Airbus Beluga XL plane was spotted in the region's skies.
The whale-like aircraft was forced to divert to Birmingham Airport on Wednesday (January 22) when fog meant it could not land safely at its intended destination in North Wales.
The unique plane is a favourite among aviation enthusiasts (Image: Ethan's Photography 82) Aptly named after their likeness to the beluga whale, the giant aircraft got many plane enthusiasts across the region excited during its brief impromptu stop at BHX.
The airport themselves took to social media to share a few snaps of the smiley plane on its runway, saying it was 'happy to help' after the diversion.
Airbus' Beluga XL planes are cargo planes designed to transport large aircraft parts across Europe, however, they have become a favourite among plane spotters for their unique appearance.
The Beluga XL (A330-743L) was flying from Hamburg, Germany to Airbus Broughton in Flintshire on Wednesday but was forced to abort landing in North Wales due to the weather, it was reported.
