by Each year, dozens of different auto shows take place around the world, and often supercars or retro cars are brought in from other continents to participate in them. Naturally, the fastest way to deliver participants is by air, and, surprisingly, Ukrainians are often involved in transporting elite cars.
To be more precise, we are talking about Antonov Airlines, which operates the world’s largest transport aircraft. We often see how Antonov’s cargo planes transport oversized loads like power plant turbines, railway locomotives, or Elon Musk’s rocket components. But supercars are also often carried as cargo by Anovs.
Currently, the Antonov Airlines fleet consists of 13 aircraft, and 8 of them are truly heavyweights. Most often, supercars are transported by the An-124 ‘Ruslan’.
The Ukrainian giant boasts an impressive carrying capacity of 120-150 tons.
Although car transportation is limited by the size of the cargo compartment — it can fit slightly more than 40 cars. Such a load is no problem for the ‘Ruslan’, allowing it to easily cover 10,000 km at a cruising speed of 800-850 km/h. However, it takes ample time to properly position and secure the vehicles.
Notably, the ‘Ruslans’ regularly serviced the popular American supercar rally Gumball 3000. About 14 years ago, a trio of Ukrainian planes transported 125 expensive cars from the UK to the USA with a transit through Bangkok. Among them were several Bugatti Veyron priced at $1.5 million, along with a Porsche Carrera GT, and an Aston Martin DB9.
Next time in 2008, the ‘passengers’ of the An-124 became Mercedes SLR McLaren, Lamborghini Murcielago, Ferrari F430, and Rolls-Royce Phantom convertibles.
They were transported quickly and without issues.
In exceptional cases, they might use the An-225 ‘Mriya’ — the largest plane in the history of aviation. This six-engine colossus measures 84 meters in length, with a wingspan of 88.4 meters. Its maximum carrying capacity is 250 tons, and its 43-meter compartment can accommodate up to 80 cars.
However, it should be noted that unlike its smaller sibling, the ‘Mriya’ rarely transports cars. It typically carries heavier loads, such as a 174-ton generator or giant blades for wind turbines. Although in the ’90s, the An-225 did transport participants of the WRC Rally World Championship to remote stages.
In conclusion, Ukrainian transport aircraft are the fastest way to transfer supercars in large quantities across the globe.
As long as there is money, elite car owners will find a way. As for cargo transportation in Kyiv, transportation of anything, including cars, can be organized in the capital.
