World’s second largest cargo aircraft at MRIA

31 July 2018 11:28 pm - 15 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The world’s second largest cargo aircraft, Antonov An-124 Ruslan, landed at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) this afternoon, Airport Manager Upali Kalansuriya said.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Kalansuriya said the cargo aircraft was being refuelled and that its crew was resting.

“It is iconic to have the world’s second-largest aircraft at MRIA and it is the first time that this type of aircraft arrived in the country. The aircraft arrived from Indonesia and had scheduled to leave for Muscat at 1.40 a.m. tomorrow,” he said.

Mr Kalansuriya said, there were nineteen crew members in the flight. The aircraft landed empty.

The An-124 is one of the largest aircraft in the world, specifically designed for carrying heavy and bulky loads.

It is equipped with a high volume of cargo capacity, drive-on loading ramps and a variety of built-in freight handling equipment.

The jet was manufactured between 1982 and 2014, and in total 55 were built. There are currently 26 civilian models in operation.

The An-124 was designed for long-range delivery and air-dropping heavy or bulky cargo, including machines, equipment and troops.

Earlier, the world largest cargo aircraft Antonov An-225 Mriya landed at MRIA on April 19.

That aircraft arrived from Kuala Lumpur and left for Karachi, Pakistan. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 15

observer Tuesday, 31 July 2018 11:46 PM

The second biggest cargo aircraft lands empty ???

Rohantha Wednesday, 01 August 2018 06:27 AM

For mattala , landing of an aircraft is NEWS

Yeti Wednesday, 01 August 2018 07:09 AM

What will the real jumbos say?

ANTON Wednesday, 01 August 2018 07:23 AM

THIS IS NOTHING .. WORLD'S FIRST LARGEST PARLIAMENT IS AT DIYAWANNAWA.

dakune koluwa Wednesday, 01 August 2018 07:29 AM

what did the country gain from this in terms of economy

ANTON Wednesday, 01 August 2018 07:32 AM

LOAD ALL OUR POLITICIANS IN TO THIS AND SEND ANYWHERE.

Dan Wednesday, 01 August 2018 07:32 AM

I was made to understand that Mattala is for Peacocks and Elephants..and to store Paddy...what the heck is this..????

Lord Wolfstein Wednesday, 01 August 2018 10:23 AM

Why is the airport still bearing the name of a criminal dictator? Not a good advertisement for the country.

Coconut Republic Wednesday, 01 August 2018 12:31 PM

It has brought in all the shopping done by the 3 musketeer, who are in Russia!

Thusara Wednesday, 01 August 2018 12:46 PM

Definitely this is an airport which could have been developed to a high level. But current government doesn't like it, since it is a creation of RAJAPAKSHAS...

Sofia Wednesday, 01 August 2018 04:39 PM

You can develop an airport physically but to develop it to be a commercial success there must be reason for planes to come. This is in the wilderness and not commercially viable.

Brainmaster Wednesday, 01 August 2018 01:36 PM

Missed a chance. If the cargo plane was empty why didnt they pack the whole parliament in it and send it off via DM Android App

varunadhar Wednesday, 01 August 2018 03:17 PM

It is iconic that whenever a plane lands to Mattala airport it creates a sensation in the country. Whereas, landing and taking off of airplanes should be a normal business affair for an airport...

Dee Wednesday, 01 August 2018 08:10 PM

The village folk would have lit crackers and cooked milk rice(red) . They must be still partying breathing the exhaust fumes of it. Great achievement MRIA. Keep it up

Better Idea Thursday, 02 August 2018 11:18 AM

Choose three airlines and order them to use MRIA. Don't give permission for them to land at BIA. For example Air India, Cathay Pacific and Qatar Airways could be forced to use MRIA. Sri Lankan Airlines also could join them.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

World’s second largest cargo aircraft at MRIA

Comments - 15

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Belgian traveller scammed in Kalutara

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Confusion remains if April 15 is a bank holiday

New Visa procedure implemented

MIRROR CRICKET

TODAY'S HEADLINES