An Airbus BelugaXL aircraft bound for Flintshire has landed in Scotland after thick fog prevented it from reaching its intended destination at Hawarden Airport.
BelugaXL5 had been operating from Toulouse to Hawarden on Tuesday morning when poor visibility forced the giant transporter to abandon its approach to North Wales.
Flight tracking data showed the aircraft diverting away from Chester Hawarden Airport and heading north to Glasgow Prestwick Airport, where it has now landed safely.
The distinctive aircraft, easily recognisable thanks to its whale-shaped fuselage, is a familiar sight in the skies above Flintshire.
Airbus operates the BelugaXL fleet to transport oversized aircraft components between its manufacturing sites across Europe, including wings built at its Broughton plant.
The BelugaXL fleet forms a vital link in Airbus's production network.
The aircraft are specially designed to carry large aircraft sections that cannot be transported using conventional cargo aircraft.
The diversion came after fog reduced visibility around Hawarden Airport, making it impossible for the aircraft to complete its scheduled arrival.
While diversions are relatively rare, weather can occasionally disrupt operations at the airport.
Similar incidents have occurred in the past when low cloud and fog have affected visibility around the airfield.
Historical reports show Airbus Beluga aircraft have previously diverted to Prestwick during periods of dense fog at Hawarden.
The unexpected arrival will have been a welcome sight for aviation enthusiasts in Scotland, where the giant freighter is an unusual visitor.
Beluga movements are closely followed by plane spotters across North Wales due to the aircraft's links with Airbus's Broughton facility, one of the county's largest employers.
Instead of touching down in Flintshire as planned, BelugaXL5's latest journey has ended more than 200 miles away in Ayrshire, after weather conditions in North Wales brought its flight plan to an unexpected halt.
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