Antonov Airlines

The ‘Dream’ is dead: Air cargo wonder destroyed in Ukraine

A massive twin-tailed cargo jet with large number of wheels comes in for landing.

The largest commercial cargo plane has been destroyed by Russian soldiers during fighting at an airport outside Kyiv, according to the Ukrainian government’s official Twitter account. 

The Antonov AN-225, nicknamed Mriya, or “Dream,” had six engines, could carry 225 tons of cargo and consumed about 20 tons of fuel per hour of flight.

“Russia may have destroyed our ‘Mriya.’. But they will never be able to destroy our dream of a strong, free and democratic European state. We shall prevail!”...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/the-dream-is-dead-air-cargo-wonder-destroyed-in-ukraine

Antonov Airlines flying some An-124s, other freighters trapped in Ukraine

A massive freighter with a big rear and front door open, view from rear.

Ukraine is home to several all-cargo airlines that operate unique Soviet-era freighters. 

Antonov Airlines, the largest and most internationally known of the carriers, is still operating some of its super-jumbo An-124 cargo jets, but others in the fleet remain stranded at the Hostomel Airport near Kyiv, according to aircraft tracking site Flightradar24.com. Constanta Airlines, another cargo airline, is partially functioning with aircraft it has outside of Ukraine.

The inability of any Ukrainian...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/antonov-airlines-flying-some-an-124-freighters-others-trapped-in-ukraine

Lithium battery maker airlifts assembly line to leapfrog port congestion

Large crates covered with blue tarps lined up in front of a nose-loading air cargo jet on a clear blue day.

In early August, Enovix Corp. completed the installation of specialized equipment for a sophisticated production line in Fremont, California, and is gearing up to begin commercial production of batteries for mobile electronic devices in early 2022.

The ocean congestion griping U.S West Coast ports this year could have derailed those efforts.

For a manufacturer of advanced lithium ion batteries building its first factory on a tight schedule, the prospect of waiting weeks for an automated assembly...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/lithium-battery-maker-airlifts-assembly-line-to-leapfrog-port-congestion

How many strongmen does it take to pull the massive AN-225?

A group of men crawling to pull a massive plane with crowed cheering on.

The AN-225 is an absolute behemoth, the largest and heaviest commercial cargo aircraft in the world. It has a payload of 275.6 tons. The one-and-only model is owned and operated by Antonov Airlines, based in Kyiv, Ukraine.

The Mriya, which means dream in Ukrainian, is so big and expensive to operate that it’s only used for special jobs like carrying huge electrical transformers and mobile power generators. It was originally built in the 1980s to transport rockets and space shuttles for the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/how-many-strongmen-does-it-take-to-pull-the-massive-an-225

Volga-Dnepr returns first An-124 from safety suspension

A large, white super freighter on the ground, with camera view from above.

Outsized air cargo specialist Volga-Dnepr Airlines said Tuesday it has restarted commercial flights with one of its An-124 heavy loaders one month after grounding the fleet as a safety precaution in response to an accident.

The Moscow-based carrier pulled its eight An-124-100s from service following an engine failure that forced one aircraft to make an emergency landing in Russia. The suspension put a big dent in the supply of ultra-large aircraft for project cargo, such as wind tower...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/volga-dnepr-returns-first-an-124-from-safety-suspension

Dry ice: The Russian An-124 freighter’s COVID vaccine advantage

Huge cargo plane with its nose cone lifted so cargo dollies can be wheeled in.

Most aviation professionals don’t envision the Russian-built An-124 super-freighter playing a role in COVID-19 vaccine distribution because it’s an older, drafty plane often used to haul extra-heavy, oversize cargoes. Think helicopters, turbines and trucks. But the An-124 has a unique advantage that could make it useful: no limit on dry ice.

That could be a critical factor when trying to quickly get large amounts of temperature-sensitive vaccine to people around the world, especially in less...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/dry-ice-the-russian-an-124-freighters-covid-vaccine-advantage

Volga-Dnepr grounds An-124 super-freighter fleet after accident

A massive white cargo jet inches from touching down on runway.

Russian all-cargo carrier Volga-Dnepr Airlines said Friday it has temporarily suspended all commercial flights with ultra-large Antonov-124-100 freighters until the investigation into the cause of an accident two weeks ago is complete.

One of the company’s An-124 cargo aircraft experienced engine failure and loss of control after taking off from Tolmachevo airport in Novosibirsk on Nov. 13. The crew managed to turn back and make an emergency landing, which damaged the aircraft when it skidded...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/volga-dnepr-grounds-an-124-super-freighter-fleet-after-accident

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