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Mriya Visits Chatearoux Airport

The An 225 Mriya at Chateauroux airport

On August 2 and 3, 2020, the skies over Châteauroux Airport (LFLX) roared with the arrival of the Antonov An‑225 Mriya, registered UR‑82060, operated by Antonov Design Bureau. This one-of-a-kind super-heavy cargo aircraft came to France carrying a massive shipmentto Israel.

Mission Context

The An‑225 landed at Chateauroux on August 2 around 3:15 p.m, marking its second visit to France for 2020. The payload, over 1,000 cubic meters, set a world record for the largest volume of cargo ever flown.

While the precise purpose of this flight remains unknown, several hypotheses are circulating: technical refueling, repositioning, or a logistics mission to Western Europe. Since the 2020 health crisis, the An-225 has been mobilized numerous times to transport medical or heavy industrial equipment.

Châteauroux – Centre Airport (LFLX), with its 3,500-meter runway and suitable infrastructure, has established itself as a base of choice for very large aircraft. Its low traffic density and logistical capabilities make it an ideal location for aircraft such as the An-225 or its cousin, the An-124.

The An 225 on parking

Technical Specifications

The An‑225 was the largest aircraft in the world, originally built to transport the Soviet Buran space shuttle. With a length of 84 meters, wingspan of 88.4 meters, and payload capacity of 250 tons, it held numerous world records.

It was powered by six Progress D‑18T turbofan engines, cruising at speeds of 800–850 km/h, and a maximum takeoff weight of 640 tons.

Designed in the late 1980s in the former USSR, the An-225 exists in a single version, originally designed to transport the Buran space shuttle. Since then, it has been repurposed to transport exceptional loads across the globe.

The An 225 resting at Chateauroux Airport

Conclusion

The Mriya's arrival in Châteauroux was brief but symbolic. In an uncertain global context, it offered a moment of technological wonder. For aviation enthusiasts and the curious, this giant of the air will forever be associated with the skies of Berry.

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