Antonov Airlines has used one of its AN-124-100s to transport mining equipment from the UK to Gabon in just nine days for Bollore Logistics.

The cargo flew from East Midlands Airport to Franceville Airport, facilitated by in-house Antonov Airlines loading technology.

To guarantee precision and efficiency, ground staff at East Midlands Airport used Antonov’s purpose built ramp positioned at an angle of only three degrees to load two tracked crushing machines, and the entire process was completed using remote control.

Paul Bingley, commercial manager of Antonov Airlines says: “The project turn-around was only nine days and in that timeframe, we managed to deliver a cost-effective solution by securing special permission for landing in Gabon’s second city, Franceville, which is 600km closer to the mine than the capital, Libreville.”

The combined weight of the two machines was nearly 70 tonnes, and precision was vital during the loading process.

Chris Grigentin, director of industrial projects France at Bollore Logistics says: “We only required one flight for this project as the hold length of the AN-124-100 measures in at just over 36m, making it the perfect fit for two vehicles which are 18.68m in length.”