Rockhampton Airport welcomes Antonov
Published on 22 August 2017
One of the largest aircrafts in the world has touched down at the Rockhampton Airport today, in the lead up to a major military exercise in Central Queensland later this month.
The Antonov 124-100 landed on the local tarmac at 5am, bringing with it heavy military equipment that will be used in Exercise Wallaby out of Shoalwater Bay military training ground from the 31st of August.
Chair of Council’s Airport Committee Councillor Neil Fisher said the renowned aircraft is contracted to the Singaporean Armed Forces and will be at the Rockhampton Airport until tomorrow morning and return again on Friday.
“The Rockhampton Airport will become an even busier hive of activity over the coming weeks – with more than 5,000 Singaporean defence personnel set to arrive for the training exercise and multiple large freight and military aircrafts such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, C-130 and CH-47 Chinook on the tarmac.
“The Antonov is one of the largest planes we have land at the Rockhampton Airport and it’s definitely a plane enthusiasts’ dream - being one of only eight operating in the military in the world.
“It will fly out tomorrow morning and visitors, residents and plane spotters will have another chance to see it from very early Friday.”
Cr Fisher said the increased activity is another example of how well-equipped the local airport is.
“Every year, our Region welcomes our international military visitors and our Airport supports their elite aircraft and equipment, proving time and time again that we definitely have the capacity to manage both domestic and freight aircraft,” Cr Fisher said.
Plane enthusiasts will have the chance to see the striking aircraft at the Southern end of the terminal through the fence on the following days:
Tuesday 22 August from 5am (leaving at approx. 11pm)
Friday 25 August from 4.30am (leaving at approx. 7pm)
Please note: The Airport does not have any control over the arrival and departure times and they can change without notice. You can follow www.flightaware.com and www.flightradar24.com for updates.