DUBAI // The world’s largest plane touched down in Dubai on Tuesday.
At around 2pm, the Antonov An-225 Mriya landed at Al Maktoum International Airport, after having recently visited Perth, Australia, to deliver a 117-tonne generator — which is the size of as a small bedroom.
_______
Pictures: The world's biggest plane lands in Perth
_______
On arrival in Dubai, the plane was holding no cargo and was only making a stopover before heading to Italy.
The aircraft’s scheduled departure was 9am Wednesday for Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport in Rome.
Throughout the world, the plane — described as the longest and heaviest yet built — has drawn plenty of attention.
It is 84 metres long and weighs 175 tonnes without cargo or fuel.
Fully loaded, it can hold up to 600 tonnes in its hold, which measures 1,300 cubic metres.
The aircraft is more than seven metres longer than a Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental and 11 metres longer than the Airbus A380-800, the largest passenger plane.
An estimated 15,000 people showed up to view the plane as it landed in Perth, according to Australian media reports. It has also made recent stops in Turkey and Malaysia.
Only one Antonov An-225 exists.
esamoglou@thenational.ae
