GHIAL welcomes world’s largest cargo aircraft

The Dollar Business Bureau

GMR Hyderabad International Airport (P) Ltd (GHIAL) welcomes the largest cargo aircraft in the world, the Antonov AN-225 Mriya, on Wednesday, the company said in a statement.

Having almost 240 world records in its name, the aircraft with huge body is propelled by six turbofan engines and is the heaviest and longest airplane ever made. The aircraft can lift a takeoff weight of 640 metric tonnes, it said.

GHIAL or Rajiv Gandhi International Airport was selected over other airports in India for the landing of AN 225 Myria or the Dream, because of the airport’s technical prowess based on various factors including runway length, technical facilities, ground maneuvering area, air traffic density and closeness to the transcontinental air route.

The company informed that the aircraft reached Hyderabad from Turkmenbashi (Turkmenistan) in Central Asia in wee hours of Wednesday. After a day’s halt in the city, it will take off to Indonesia’s capital city, Jakarta, and after that to the final destination in Perth, Australia.

Speaking at the occasion, SGK Kishore, CEO, GHIAL said, “We feel proud to welcome the world’s biggest, heaviest and longest aircraft at the Hyderabad Airport. The arrival of AN-225 Myria is the evidence of our sturdy infrastructure, technical proficiency and operational effectiveness.

“Among all the airports in the country, Hyderabad Airport has been chosen for the landing of the aircraft of this magnitude and volume reiterates our capability as a world-class operator of airport and a hub of logistics,” he added.

Hyderabad Airport has been ranked in top three worldwide for seven consecutive years. Spread over an area of 14,330 square meters, it has one of the largest modular integrated facilities for cargo with a capacity of handling 150,000 MT per year.