The giant Antonov An-225 freighter made its first commercial cargo flight this month, operating on behalf of freight forwarder Chapman Freeborn. The 250t (550,660lb) payload aircraft carried 100,000kg of outsize cargo, including two 15,000kg ship turbines and several pieces of hydraulic machinery too big for any other aircraft, from Frankfurt Hahn to Montreal Mirabel via Shannon. Payload was limited because of the length of Hahn's runway. Since being returned to operation last year, the aircraft has been deployed on humanitarian and military contracts.
Source: Flight International