Antonov Transports Tail Shaft from UAE to Denmark

Antonov Airlines has deployed one of its AN-124-100 heavy cargo aircraft to transport an 82-tonne cradle-packed tail shaft from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates to Billund in Denmark for repair work.

The revamped component was then flown back to Sharjah, close to client Elite Aviation’s headquarters in Dubai.

The Ukrainian airfreight specialist described the move as “one of the most challenging” this year, citing the maximum allowable height of the crane boom during loading and the sweltering summer heat.

“The extremely hot season and 90-tonne payload required departure at the lowest possible temperature in the night,” said Dmytro Prosvirin, head of commercial at Antonov Airlines.

“Despite all of the challenges, the shaft was successfully delivered to Billund,” the executive added.

Antonov Airlines, a division of aircraft manufacturer Antonov Company, continues to deploy its air fleet for commercial operations worldwide, despite the conflict in Ukraine.

The carrier though was forced to temporarily relocate transport and maintenance services from the Gostomel airbase close to Ukrainian capital city Kyiv to Leipzig in Germany, a move that ensured the carrier’s five AN-124-100s could carry out operations safely, it said.

Antonov Airlines is a frequent exhibitor at Breakbulk events.

The next event in the calendar is Breakbulk Americas 2022, taking place on 27-29 September at the George R. Brown Convention Centre in Houston, Texas.

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