Into orbit with Antonov Airlines

Middle East Aircraft manufacturers Airlines

February 20, 2019

Antonov Airlines has flown a communications satellite from India to French Guiana in one of its AN-124-100 aircraft. The Indian Space Research Organisation’s GSAT-31 weighed 18,000kg including its specialised container and was launched earlier this month from the Guiana Space Centre on an Ariane 5 ECA launch vehicle.

The carrier worked closely with Flywell Aviation to meet all ISRO’s requirements. The first satellite in the series, the GSAT-11, was transported by Antonov Airlines on the same route in October 2018, and the final satellite is set to be delivered later this year.

James Graham

James Graham is an award-winning transport media journalist with a long background in the commercial freight sector, including commercial aviation and the aviation supply chain. He was the initial Air Cargo Week journalist and retuned later for a stint as editor. He continues his association as editor of the monthly supplements. He has reported for the newspaper from global locations as well as the UK.