World's largest aircraft lands in Malaysia

SEPANG: The world's largest aircraft, Antonov An-225 Mriya landed this morning at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in its first commercial flight to Malaysia after undergoing upgrades for over a year.
The gigantic Ukranian cargo plane which arrived at 7.10am, is no stranger to KLIA as it had landed here twice in 2007 and 2016, as a commercial freight transporter.
The Antonov An-225 pilot, Antonov Dmytrov told Bernama that Malaysia was the plane's third stop after Leipzig, Germany and Dammam, Saudi Arabia to deliver heavy cargo.
Dmytrov, who has flown the cargo plane for 16 years, said the aircraft with 24 crew will be here for three days before returning to Saudi Arabia.
"The aircraft was grounded in Kiev for more than a year (for upgrading purposes) and we took off for the first time on April 3. This is the second time I flew this plane to Malaysia," he said.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Ambassador to Malaysia, Olexander Nechytaylo who was present to welcome the Antonov An-225 crew said he was "very excited" to witness the great aviation technology up close.
"This is the example of Ukrainian technology. It shows that in some areas like aerospace and aircraft building, Ukraine is one of the world leaders.
"I'm very pleased its here in Malaysia so that Malaysians can see it with their own eyes," he said.
Antonov Airlines Commercial Executive, Dmytrii Dolhov said measuring 84m long and 18m high, Antonov An-225 was capable of carrying a maximum take-off weight of 640 tonnes.
"Usually, we transfer superheavy pieces. For customers, it's faster and cheaper to transfer large cargo in this aircraft which is equivalent to five or more flights," he said.
Dolhov said Antonov An-225 was powered by six engines with a wingspan of 88m and 32 tyres in its landing gear.
Designed by Antonov in the late 1980s, it is the longest and heaviest aeroplane ever built. — Bernama