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US Seeks Giant Antonov Freighter to Lift Spyplane
Antonov Airlines (UK) said on Wednesday it was in talks with the US government to charter a giant Antonov freighter to airlift the grounded US EP-3 spyplane from China's Hainan island to Okinawa.
"We've been approached by the US government to charter the An-124," a cargo executive for the British-based cargo airline told reporters.
The An-124-100, which can carry up to 120 tonnes, is the largest freighter now in commercial use.
"If a decision is taken to fly out the EP-3, the wings and possibly the tail fin will first be removed and then stored inside the Antonov's wide cargo hold," he added.
Antonov Airlines is a joint venture between Britain's Air Foyle Ltd and HeavyLift Cargo Airlines. It markets charters for the Kiev-based Antonov Design Bureau and has eight An-124s available for use.
Industry sources said suggestions that another Soviet-designed aircraft -- the Ilyushin Il-76 -- might be used seemed to be mistaken as it was too small to move the EP-3.
The An-124 has developed a niche but expanding market over the past decade in moving outsize and heavy cargo.
It has transported NATO military equipment where no suitable Western alternative was available as well as carrying satellites, bottling plants, Playstations and Beaujolais Nouveau.
The An-225, the world's largest commercial freighter with a cargo capacity of 250 tonnes, is due to be shown at the Paris air show in mid-June after extensive refurbishment by ADB in Kiev.
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