There are five Belugas currently in service and each of them is, literally, an artisan product: they have not been serially manufactured and each of them is slightly different from the others.

The Beluga is an essential part of Airbus' complex logistical chain...it's interesting up to what point Europe's aircraft manufacturing capabilities depend on these five good old Belugas.

By the way, large as the Beluga might be, it is still not enough for most A380 sections, that need to be transported by boat and barge.

