September 18 - Antonov Airlines has transported 32 generators from Châteauroux, France to Guadeloupe in the Caribbean, onboard one of its seven AN-124-100 aircraft.
The generators were transported on behalf of the EDF Group to Guadeloupe and Saint Martin, both of which were severely affected by Hurricane Irma. The cargoes, which weighed a total of 105 tonnes, will provide electricity to the affected regions.
"The aircraft was in Cairns, Australia at the time the charter was confirmed, which meant we had to respond promptly to move it halfway around the world," said Paul Furlonger, Antonov Airlines.
"The AN-124-100s' unique onboard crane system, which has a lift capacity of 30 tonnes, allowed for a safe loading and unloading process, without the need for a special ground infrastructure at the airport.
"This is the first in a series of Antonov Airlines flights that will deliver humanitarian and relief cargo to the Caribbean from the governments of France, the Netherlands, and the UK."
The cargo, which was supplied by EDF Group, included three different sizes of generators: nine generators measuring 4.84 m x 1.2 m x 2.2 m; 16 generators measuring 4.47 m x 1.2 m x 2.2 m; and seven generators measuring 3.8 x 1.1 m x 2 m.
Antonov Airlines operates a fleet of seven AN-124-100 aircraft, including two modernised AN-150 variants, with a payload of up to 150 tonnes, an AN-22 with a payload of 60 tonnes, the AN-225 that has a payload of 250 tonnes, and smaller AN-26 and AN-74 aircraft.
