World’s Largest Cargo Plane Lands at Minneapolis Airport
Airplane enthusiasts gathered at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport to get a glimpse of the largest cargo plane in the world.
There aren’t many planes popular enough to draw a crowd when they land or depart, but the Antonov An-124 Ruslan is one of those planes due to its gigantic size.
READ MORE: Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge Hiring Operators For A Job With A Stunning View
The Antonov An-124: A Crowd-Drawing Giant
The Antonov An-124 is a Soviet Union-designed aircraft that began flying in 1982. After the end of the Soviet Union, the plane became a joint project between Russia and Ukraine, and it remains the largest cargo aircraft in service today.
Impressive Stats of the An-124
As of 2013, there are 26 An-124s in service, moving loads of up to 150 tons around the world. That’s the equivalent of an empty Boeing 747 or 25 adult elephants. The plane was still being built until the start of the Russia/Ukraine war.
Recent Visit to the Twin Cities
The plane landed at MSP at 3:21 PM yesterday, March 6th, and departed at 8:12 AM this morning. According to flight tracking data, the gigantic plane is en route to China Lake, CA.
Spotters Flock to MSP
Dozens of spectators arrived to see the plane land and were up early this morning waiting for the plane to depart the Twin Cities.
A Versatile Workhorse
Over the years, the aircraft has been used for both military and civilian purposes. It has hauled everything from locomotives to humanitarian aid and supplies for emergencies, like the Fukushima nuclear accident, when it transported a giant concrete pump from Germany to Japan.
LOOK: The most popular dog breeds in America
Gallery Credit: Stacker
LOOKS: Things you'd likely see in an awesomely '80s garage
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
More From MIX 108
