The Antonov AN-124, operated by Ukrainian carrier Antonov Airlines, is scheduled to arrive at Melbourne Orlando International Airport at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 22. The aircraft, which previously visited the airport in June and early July, will make an overnight stop before departing at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 23 with an undisclosed payload. Airport officials have urged spectators to watch from safe distances and avoid obstructing traffic or entering restricted areas.
The plane’s arrival has already drawn hundreds of plane spotters and photographers to the airport perimeter in recent weeks. The AN-124, capable of carrying up to 330,693 pounds of cargo, is equipped with onboard cranes to handle oversized freight. Its previous visit in June involved transporting an aerospace payload from Germany to the Pacific Northwest, and it returned to the Space Coast on July 8-9 for another stop.
Airport officials posted a reminder on Instagram ahead of the latest visit: 'Do not stop or park along roadways, block traffic, or enter restricted areas. Follow all posted signs and respect airport security protocols.' The message concluded with a lighthearted nod to the plane’s size: 'May the force (and good weather) be with you.'
The AN-124 has a history of making high-profile appearances in Brevard County. Two years ago, the same aircraft transported the European Space Agency’s Hera spacecraft from Germany to Titusville before its October 2024 launch. This week’s visit marks another example of the airport’s role in handling specialized cargo, though details about the current payload remain confidential.