The world’s largest aircraft landed at Shannon Airport this afternoon carrying consignments to be distributed throughout the Irish retail sector.
The Antonov AN-225 touched down from China earlier today, having landed five times in the Midwest in the recent past.
Shannon’s runway of more than 3 kilometres, which is the longest in Ireland, means it’s the only airport in this country capable of accommodating the aircraft.
The Antonov will depart Shannon again at around 9am tomorrow morning.
Speaking about the Antonov 225, Niall Maloney, Shannon Airport Operations & Commercial Director said: “With a wingspan wider than the Croke Park pitch and, from nose to tail, over one and a half times the length of an Olympic swimming pool, the Antonov 225 stands alone as the largest plane ever made. It is wonderful to see the plane flying in commercial cargo, a further sign of a recovery in our economy.
“We love having the Antonov here. It’s an incredible aircraft and when you see it on the taxiway here, it dwarfs anything else on the airfield. When you take its enormous size into perspective, it’s almost unbelievable that it can get up into the skies, let alone be as graceful when it’s up there. The plane also attracts significant interest with aviation enthusiasts from around the country who travel here in large numbers to view this unique aircraft,” he said.
