Airport crew have a whale of a tale to tell after rare plane lands in Sydney, N.S.

Workers at the airport in Sydney, N.S., had quite the surprise over the weekend when an unusual-looking airplane made an unexpected landing. The Airbus Beluga, a large cargo plane, touched down at J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport on Sunday after being diverted from its original route due to inclement weather in St. John’s.

The arrival of the Airbus Beluga caused quite a stir, with crowds of onlookers gathering to catch a glimpse of the unique aircraft. Sydney Airport CEO Myles Tuttle described the scene, noting that the plane received a warm welcome upon landing around 5 p.m. “There was a traffic jam down the whole Grand Lake Road and the traffic jam kept going up to Airport Road,” Tuttle said. “I was amazed at the amount of community interest… It was pretty cool.”

The Airbus Beluga is a rare sight in the aviation world, with only a handful of these planes in operation. Aviation enthusiasts from around the globe closely follow the movements of these unique aircraft. Tuttle highlighted the capabilities of Sydney airport, which boasts a runway that is 7,070 feet long and 200 feet wide, equipped to handle the weight and size of the large cargo plane.

Despite the unexpected nature of the plane’s landing, Sydney airport was well-prepared to accommodate the Airbus Beluga. Tuttle expressed pride in the airport’s response and the successful landing of the aircraft, emphasizing the importance of this event after a challenging period of low traffic due to the pandemic. “For us, it was a brush-up of our skills that proved to some of the new team members that we can accommodate that kind of activity,” Tuttle explained. “It just demonstrated to our community that we’re capable of handling whatever challenges fall out of the sky.”

After spending the night at the airport, the Airbus Beluga departed the next morning, leaving behind positive feedback from its crew. Sydney airport’s successful handling of the unexpected landing showcased its capabilities and readiness for any situation that may arise in the future.

Overall, the arrival of the Airbus Beluga at Sydney airport was a memorable event that highlighted the airport’s preparedness and ability to handle unique aviation challenges. This experience served as a reminder of the airport’s resilience and adaptability in the face of unexpected circumstances, earning praise from both aviation enthusiasts and the local community.