28 March 2024

61 thoughts on “Antonov An-225 Mriya – World’s largest aircraft, to visit Perth (UPDATED WITH LATEST INFO)

  1. Yes Thank You David, the constant updates were really useful, especially on the day with the delay of the departure from Malaysia. I bet you’ve been busy yourself by the sounds of it you’ve had several media engagements, I heard you on 6PR last week. Surprised you weren’t able to get you’re way onto the VIP area and rub shoulders with Geoffrey Thomas!

    Some of the backlash has been a bit surprising, even within my own family! Blaming spectators for delaying people to get to there flights, I say, they are to blame for not planning properly! They’ve had plenty of notice and the media have been all over it! Today’s article from Brendan Foster on WA Today, is also a bit disheartening, stuff em all, my 3 year old son and I had a ball, even getting up close to a few domestic arrivals and departures was a good prelude to the big event, we had a great time!

  2. Pilots actually told us at lunch yesterday that take-off would be at 6.30am Tuesday. They as the Ukrainian Ambassador were especially upset at media reports that the Plane is Russian. It was constructed during the Soviet era but designed and built by Ukrainians. They pointed out the highly developed aeronautics industry in Ukraine. They have all piloted planes to Perth or other parts of Australia before but are very focussed upon “the team” piloting Mriya. I asked if there were any females pilots who had worked on this plane. Sadly no! They asked us to remember the military Ukrainian female pilot still held in Russia. We presented them with a beautiful mounted Boomerang inscripted with greetings from The Ukrainian Association and people of WA, with a message to return as boomerangs must do. I asked that next time they are piloted by a couple of females. Women in Ukraine are highly educated in aeronautics and engineering.
    We had a funny moment taking the senior pilot and one other to their hotel at the end of the day. All day the Antonov and pilots were being photographed and feted, but the tables turned and the pilots all encircled my old Bentley S1 excitedly taking photos of each other sitting in the car and as we departed. We were enthralled by Antonov but they just loved a simple old classic car rarely seen in Ukraine. I should have asked our club members to drive them all separately to their hotel. Next time perhaps.
    Everyone who saw the landing would remember such an amazing event – once in a lifetime for some of us.
    Great to see club members on observation deck.

    1. Hi Lesa,
      Our latest update is that departure is Tuesday 17 May 2016, with a 5:30am engine start, 5:40am take-off.
      We did not say that the An-225 was Russian – our article said it was designed and built in Ukraine.
      It was great to see the Ukrainian community and Ambassador enjoying this special event.
      I wish I could have seen the An-225 close-up and met the crew! Maybe next time….

  3. Huge, huge thanks to you for all the info you’ve been posting on this visit, David. Like many others I’m sure, I’m very appreciative indeed of the fantastic updates that’ve been popping up with lots of useful details. Really excellent!

    1. You’re welcome Mike!
      I wanted to ensure as many people as possible got to learn about and see the massive An-225.
      I wish I could get permission to see it up close!

      1. Oh gosh, I thought you would definitely have been one of the privileged few! I hope you still managed to enjoy the day (An-225 and Ed Force One on the same day? Wow!!) from whatever vantage point you had. Hopefully a well-guarded aviationwa.org.au hideout with a marvellous view 🙂

        1. I was in Terminal 1 Observation Deck in the media cordon area. It was still an enjoyable day, but it would have been fantastic to be with the media next to the runway when it touched down.
          Our other photographers were at various spots around the airport.

  4. Hi David
    Any idea idea if takeoff will be easily viewed from the viewing platform? I’ve never watched a/craft takeoff from there before.
    Thanks

    1. Hi Anna,
      Unfortunately, the Viewing Area on Dunreath Drive will not open until 7:30AM, which is too late for the 5:30AM departure of the An-225.
      As far as I am aware, Perth Airport has no plans to open the Viewing Area early, but I will ask them. If the weather is good, the only disadvantage will be that you are shooting towards the rising sun.
      The An-225 may actually take off later than 5:30AM, as the engines have to be run up for a while prior to departure.

  5. Does anyone know if it will be flying anywhere near joondalup? Really wanna see it in the sky but have hurt my back so hoping to view from home?? Will it be traceable on flight radar??

    1. It should be visible on FlightRadar, but cannot confirm whether it will pass over Joondalup. Current forecast winds indicate landing on north end of runway, but this could change.

    1. Depends on winds. Forecast for 10am Sunday indicates it will land from the north.
      If winds swing more northerly, then that will change.

  6. About to land at KLIA at 08:30 am this morning. Set to depart for Perth at 04:30am tomorrow

  7. Winds look like they May be northerly on Sunday Morning so maybe a good chance for it to land on the southern end of eunway 03/21.That will mean people in the normal outside viewing area and the new special zone on the control tower side will get a great view of the landing.it will probably come over Rottnest and Cockburn and turn over Harris dale coming in over Cannington and Kewdale.will have to watch wind movements early sunday morning to confirm this..should be a good sight for majority of spectators if this is the case.

  8. Hye and nice to hear that this antonov an225 visited Malaysia..
    may i know the ETA of this flight ??
    Thank you

      1. Thank you for your reply Mr.David..
        a bit disappointed that it will arrive early in the morning..
        ^-^

      2. And Mr.David,
        when will it depart from KLIA to the next destination,Perth isn’t it ??

  9. Will there be an opportunity to have a look on the other three days that it is in Perth ? If so where will it be parked?

    1. It will be parked opposite the International Terminal on a remote parking bay, so you will be able to see it from the Observation Deck in Terminal 1.

    1. If you are referring to the Antonov Special Zone near Airport Drive on the south east side of the airport, it will open at 7am. The free parking is nearby at Long Term Car Parks G and K.
      The normal public viewing area will be opening at 7:30am and gates will be closed when it is full.

  10. WInds are expected to be southerly on the weekend unlike the last few days when it was north to north west so unless there is a turnaround Mirya will come over Ellenbrook and West Swan Road to land on the northern end of runway 03/21

  11. Hi, do we know what the flight path will be, e.g flying in over Swan Valley or over
    Cannington ? Would be great to see it coming in to land but not competing with crowds !!!
    Thanks

    1. They are expecting it to land approaching from the north (over Swan Valley) but it depends on winds.
      The aircraft will land against the wind, as mentioned in the article.
      Suggest you use an app like FlightRadar24 or Planefinder, to see which direction the aircraft are landing.

  12. Mriya will park right in front of viewing window on level 3 arrivals area of International Terminal 1. Parking in T1 car park. Get there early! Antonov 225 will get the classic water welcome in front of the window. We will be meeting the 7 pilots and then joining them for lunch. Exciting time for Ukrainians in Perth. Yellow and blue colours will be in force – flag colours.

    1. Hi Lesa,
      Parking at Terminal 1 can be very expensive. They will also be clearing people out of the Observation Deck in T1 every 30 minutes and queues are expected.
      There is also free parking on that day in two of the Long Term car parks (G and K), which are near the dedicated Antonov Event Zone, near Airport Drive.

      1. Hi David,

        We will be getting VIP free passes so not a problem for us but I know many people are viewing this as a once in a lifetime experience and want to park there especially with elderly and children.

  13. For those interested in the actual cargo being carried by the Antonov AN 225 then here is the actual power generator at Brush factory in Pilsen south west of Prague.. Its all wrapped up ready to go on the train to Prague prior to loading . You can see just how heavy it is by the lifting mechanism required to move it..This is why it will take many hours to get it on and off the aircraft from the Antonovs front end. People in T1 international observation deck eastern end should get a view of part of the process on Sunday and Monday as its offloaded.. even as interesting as the plane itself. Just paste this address in a new tab

    http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e27/bigcat2269/CiFE9OaWUAAWwsL_zpsmrmmhmin.jpg?t=1462804984

  14. Hi David,
    Just wondering if there arrival and departure times were to chance, when would a likely time for them to change be, and when would you post the updated times, thanks.

    1. Hi Noah,
      The arrival and departure times can change at any time.
      We will post updated times as soon as we are aware.
      There are reports that the departure time from Perth may be slightly delayed to enable spectators to see it leave. No confirmation of this nor any revised ETD yet.

  15. So will Perth Airport be hosting/organizing any type of special viewing area to see this? Where would be the best location to view the arrival? I know of the observation look out at the southern end of the main run way, but what if it lands north to south, probably wouldn’t get much of a good look then from that view point?

    1. Hi Brett,
      The Viewing Area is likely to be full to overflowing, as there is a lot of interest in this visit and it will arrive on a Sunday (unless that changes). Some people are coming to Perth from the Eastern States, just to see the An-225.
      When the A350 and A380 first visited Perth, the Viewing Area car park filled up quickly and Perth Airport closed the entrance. Any drivers attempting to park on the road outside were told by airport staff that they would be fined and may have their car towed away.
      I have already contacted Perth Airport about spectator arrangements and am awaiting a response.
      If it lands on the north end, there is a possibility that it will go the full length of the runway before turning off, but that is up top the pilots and air traffic controllers.
      If it lands at the south end, then the Viewing Area would be a good spot to watch it, subject to extra parking being available.

  16. So exciting for Ukrainians in Perth. 30 of us will get to meet and greet the pilots and crew as well as our newly appointed Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia at the same time.
    We hope to get some interesting pics to upload onto our Hobby Shack Facebook site for all plane enthusiasts in WA.

  17. Hello David,
    May I ask a question, normally where is the parking spot for cargo like this giant?

    Thanks!

  18. Hi David,

    Thanks so much for the informative post! I’m an oversea student staying in Adelaide and love to fly to Perth to meet it.
    Wish everyone enjoy this amazing lady visit!

    Cheers,
    Lawrence

  19. Can you tell me what time in Perth it will arrive in Perth on May the 15, and what time it will leave so I can plan ahead. Can’t wait to see it I love huge planes. Thank you.

  20. Hi every one,its michael frm perth wa can any tell me what time on may 15th the antonov cargo plane arrives @ perth international airport?
    Leslie and david eta arrival date for the antonov is sunday 15th of may 2016.all info on google confirms arrival date .the plane viewing look out platform where plane spotters stand WILL b packed with people.

    1. Hi Michael,
      The arrival date of 15 May 2016 is already written in the article. The comment of mine you’re referring to was made before the date was confirmed.
      I agree that the Viewing Area will likely be packed with people – they usually close the car park when it is full and cars are not permitted to park outside the car park, though I am unsure if they will allow it for the An-225 visit.

  21. Hello, Do you have any definite dates as to when the plane will arrive in Perth?

        1. Hi Louise,
          We cannot give an exact time yet, as it is all subject to change.
          The arrival is dependent on a number of factors.
          The latest information is that the originally scheduled arrival date of Sunday 15 May may also change. We will provide the information as soon as it is available, but even then it will be subject to change.

  22. Hi David

    This is a fantastic post! Very informative and certainly whetting my appetite for a visit in April!

    I hope some possible dates are released soon so we on the Eastern seaboard can start looking for (reasonably) cheap flights!

    Cheers
    Damian
    CQ Plane Spotting Blog

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