RFD Hosts One of the Largest Cargo Aircraft

ROCKFORD, Ill. – On Friday, the Chicago Rockford International Airport will host one of the largest aircraft flying today. The Antonov-124 is the largest aircraft ever mass-produced and is primarily used for heavy lifting of over-sized and overweight cargo. The aircraft will land at RFD on Friday, May 10th at approximately 6 p.m. and will depart at approximately 9:00 p.m.

The aircraft is visiting RFD for a scheduled fuel stop, and its eventual destination has not been released. Fueling services for the aircraft will be conducted by North American Aviation Group – Pride Aircraft, Inc. at their facilities located at 6028 Cessna Drive on the southwest cargo apron.

The Antonov has made numerous visits to Rockford in recent years.

“The landing of the Antonov demonstrates RFD’s ability to land any aircraft flying today,” said RFD Director Mike Dunn. “Hosting the aircraft is just one more example of RFD’s prime location and convenience, which are significant assets for any cargo airline using our airport in the future.”  

About the Antonov

The aircraft is a Russian-built Antonov AN-124 having a gross maximum landing weight of 892,872 lbs. and a wingspan of 240 feet. Comparatively, the largest model Boeing 747 has a maximum landing weight of 666,000 lbs. and 213 feet wingspan. The Antonov’s maximum cargo capacity is nearly 25 percent greater than the C-5A, one of the largest aircrafts used by the military. A modified (extended) version of the Antonov (AN-224) was made to transport the Russian version of the space shuttle.

The AN-124 arriving RFD will be flying non-stop to Prestwick, U.K. delivering military cargo.