Airbus announced Tuesday that it will rent its Beluga giant aircraft to other customers. This is a major bet on air cargo markets.

The planes with whale shapes are used for transporting large parts of aircraft, such as wings or fuselage sections, between European factories. Airbus Beluga Transport will be the new airline. It plans to transport large cargo in space for oil and gas companies, militaries, and other commercial interests.

Cargo by air has always been an option bright spotDuring the pandemic. After airlines reduced service because of low demand, the number of passenger flights plunged. Meanwhile, port snarls caused shipping delays, driving up prices — and demand — for faster shipping by air.

Airbus claims the plan allows it to benefit from the BelugaST remaining 20 years and it will be able to transport complete engines and helicopters. BelugaXL larger planes will replace the Beluga STs.

Aerospace giant BoeingIts main rival said it flew its inaugural mission last year, delivering a helicopter to Kobe from Marignane in France.