The Antonov AN-124, the world's largest operating cargo aircraft, will land at Melbourne Orlando International Airport at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, June 28, according to airport officials. Operated by Ukrainian carrier Antonov Airlines, the plane will transport a payload exceeding 50,000 pounds to the Pacific Northwest, though the specific cargo remains undisclosed. Cliff Graham, the airport's director of operations and maintenance, called the AN-124 'the biggest' and emphasized its unique capacity to carry oversized items that cannot fit in standard cargo planes.
The AN-124's cargo hold measures 14.5 feet tall, 20 feet wide, and 120 feet long — a space Graham described as 'a giant tunnel.' The aircraft specializes in transporting aerospace components, locomotives, and other large items that would not fit in a Boeing 747's fuselage. 'It's all about payload capacity and the dimensions of the cargo hold,' Graham said. 'A lot of times, the cargo are aerospace components — even parts of fuselages of other aircraft.'
This will be the AN-124's second visit to the airport. A similar plane last landed at Melbourne Orlando International Airport in March 2024 to transport oversized aircraft parts. Melissa Naughton, assistant director of business development and marketing, confirmed the previous visit involved components too large for other cargo planes. Airport officials have teased the upcoming arrival on social media, calling the aircraft 'an absolute icon' and encouraging residents to witness the rare event.
The plane's arrival has drawn interest from aviation enthusiasts and local businesses. Graham noted the AN-124's role in global logistics, highlighting its ability to move items that would otherwise require specialized transportation. 'It's a marvel of engineering,' he said. 'You don't see many of these planes in the U.S. — especially not in Florida.' The aircraft's presence at the airport is expected to generate public interest and underscore the facility's capability to handle unique cargo operations.