Chapman Freeborn and NATCO Global Transport Solutions & Projects have successfully coordinated an Antonov AN-225 cargo charter to transport a 170-ton load from Switzerland to Bahrain.
The joint operation to move a gigantic GT13E2 gas turbine rotor, a generator rotor and other outsize technical equipment to the Middle East was the first time the world’s largest fixed-wing aircraft has visited Zurich Airport.
Read the full press release here.
The high-profile charter project received a large amount of media attention. Here you can view a YouTube clip of the AN-225 arriving in Zurich.
It is the second time that we’ve brought the giant Antonov AN-225 Mriya freighter to Europe in recent months. In June, we delivered a 140-ton load to EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg – representing another first for an AN-225 cargo charter operation.
The latest cargo charter project in Zurich was closely observed by Pedro Oliveira from NATCO and Eugen Renfer from Covio SA Aviation Services, our representative in Switzerland.
The six hour loading process involved both the AN-225 aircraft’s ramp-loading apparatus in addition to two heavy-lift cranes. The largest of the cargo pieces handled was a gas turbine rotor weighing 97.5 tons and measuring over 13 metres in length.
Following the loading of the outsize cargo, the aircraft departed on schedule and flew to Bahrain via Athens and Cairo for refuelling.
