Antonov Airlines has transported three giant compressors from its UK base at London Stansted Airport to Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea.
The UK-manufactured parts, each weighing 23 tonnes and measuring 648cm long, 284cm wide and 358cm high, travelled in modified crates designed to work with the Antonov AN-124-100 unique on-board crane system.
Antonov Airlines commercial manager, Martin Griffiths says: “By modifying the shape of the crates for this operation, we did not need to use additional ramp equipment and did not need to carry extra equipment on the aircraft.”
Adding: “This resulted in a faster loading process and reduced costs to the customer.”
The aircraft was piloted by Antonov chief pilot, Dmitry Antonov, who pilots the AN-225, and the cargo was delivered on a fleet of three Jan de Rijk Logistics trucks on 3 April.
Jan de Rijk chief executive officer, Sebastiaan Scholte says: “We are honoured to be part of this project. It shows once again the confidence our customers have in us to transport equipment of high value that requires delicate handling.”
“Our aerospace unit was involved in this operation, using their years of experience of complex off-size cargo. We operate with special permits and have extensive experience in handling projects at the tarmac of London Stansted Airport.”
