On 10 June 2020 the world`s largest Ukrainian cargo aircraft AN 225 Mriya has landed at the Shannon airport in Ireland to hand over nearly 1 million units of personal protective equipment from China, the largest ever consignment of PPE ordered by Ireland.
The Embassy of Ukraine has taken this wonderful opportunity to request the Airport`s management to welcome the crew and convey the Embassy`s high appraisal of their invaluable contribution to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic all over the world.
The giant six-engine Mriya jet with a wingspan of 88,4 meters and capable of carrying 640,000 tonnes is a pride of Ukraine`s Antonov Design Bureau and remains the only one of its kind in the world.
Due to the size of AN 225, Shannon turned out to be the only airport in Ireland to have 3,2 km long runaway to allow its landing.
Admired by the Mriya, the Irish media reports compare it with the size of Croke Park pitch and a height of six stories.
It has been already the fourth visit of AN 225 to Ireland after previous arrivals in 2003, 2013 and 2015.