Giant aircraft takes to the skies over North Wales

One of the world's largest cargo aircraft has taken to the skies over North Wales and is set to be a regular sight. The Airbus BelugaXL will transport wings made at the company's Broughton plant to sites across Europe.

The massive aircraft is pictured here in France. Credit: PA Images

In the coming years six BelugaXL planes will enter service as its predecessor is gradually phased out.

The XL allows for around a third more capacity - being seven metres longer and one metre wider than its BelugaST predecessor.

The wings of the A350 XWB are built at Broughton. Credit: PA Images

With the largest cargo bay cross-section of all existing cargo aircraft worldwide, the BelugaXL can carry two A350 XWB wings compared to the BelugaST, which can only carry one.