E-Paper | October 19, 2026

World’s largest aircraft lands in Karachi

The Newspaper's Staff Reporter Published
60
Antonov An-225 Mriya in the background at the Antonov aircraft factory in Kyiv, Ukraine. — AP
Antonov An-225 Mriya in the background at the Antonov aircraft factory in Kyiv, Ukraine. — AP
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KARACHI: The world’s largest cargo aircraft, known as Antonov An-225 Mriya, made a technical stopover at Karachi airport on Wednesday.

The Russian-made wide-body aircraft, which is powered by six turbofan engines and said to be the longest and heaviest plane ever built, took off from Afghanistan and landed at Jinnah International Airport a little before noon.

With maximum take-off weight of 700 tonnes, it has the largest wingspan of any aircraft in operational service.

Airport sources said the aircraft was scheduled to leave Karachi in the early hours of Thursday morning. They said the aircraft contained military cargo that was being transported from Afghanistan as part of withdrawal plan of the US and allied forces from the war-torn country.

Meanwhile, social media is abuzz with the arrival of the world’s largest cargo aircraft in Karachi as people shared its photographs and videos on their Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2021

Pakistan
60

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Wisdom
Jun 24, 2021 08:39am
1,322,750 lb Maximum takeoff weight for this aircraft.
Recommend 0
John
Jun 24, 2021 08:52am
Not a good sign. Bases.
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MG
Jun 24, 2021 08:58am
What is it 'dropping' here? Why on earth IK allowed US plane to land?
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Umar
Jun 24, 2021 08:59am
ATC to the aircraft behind the Antonov: "Caution wake hurricane." In all seriousness, this thing is absolutely massive. Also, interesting that the Russians are helping the Americans extract their equipment from Afghanistan.
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Fastrack
Jun 24, 2021 09:30am
Withdrawal help. Anytime.
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Fastrack
Jun 24, 2021 09:30am
@John, Poor Indians crying at daddy US withdrawal.
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Gold_Leaf
Jun 24, 2021 09:33am
@MG, not a US plane. It's Russian that brought military cargo.
Recommend 0
Khan De Bannu
Jun 24, 2021 09:36am
@Umar, Business is Business and enmity is enmity.
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sibghatullah khan
Jun 24, 2021 09:57am
Its an Russian plane, how can it transport allied military equipment? Can anyone explain
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Zaheer
Jun 24, 2021 09:57am
Is it US or USSR plane???
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Farooq
Jun 24, 2021 10:05am
Indians having tummy cramps even on this news.
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MMM
Jun 24, 2021 10:32am
@sibghatullah khan, it is business! Besides, if I was a Russian, I would gladly give them a discount because of the pleasure of seeing them pack just like Russians had to do it 3 decades back.
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Humza
Jun 24, 2021 10:47am
Antonov is a Ukrainian company (not Russian). Thus, helping the allied forces withdrawal.
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Saif Zulfiqar
Jun 24, 2021 11:11am
@MG, /Thisis not US plane but Russian plane.
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A shah
Jun 24, 2021 11:13am
Does the pilot have a licence?
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Just4Fun
Jun 24, 2021 11:28am
@MG, This is Russian aircraft. The Russian-made wide-body aircraft, which is powered by six turbofan engines and said to be the longest and heaviest plane ever built, took off from Afghanistan and landed at Jinnah International Airport a little before noon.
Recommend 0
Tichya Aaichi
Jun 24, 2021 11:44am
Getting equipment to setup new base in Pakistan..
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Mahmood
Jun 24, 2021 11:49am
iF the palne doesn't leave quickly and continue on its journey, it may be missing many parts overnight. Anyone who;s traveled to and from Karachi Airport, will see rusty, old PIA jets, with missing nose, lights, wings or wheels, idling between the Terminal and Hangers, as if these are ugly decorative pieces. While you will not likely find a single functional PIA jet landing, ready to take off or even moving at this airport. And this is the main PIA hub, largest Pakistani city and PIA HQ!
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test
Jun 24, 2021 11:51am
I wish so desperately that Pakistan will make this aircraft But I can say our engineering universities are totally garbage They will teach you fashion and fency stuff more than engineering That is the reason engineers are unable to produce engines for cars bikes aircrafts boats rockets tanks They are unable anything even after 75 years of independence I know if IK will say it people and media will say hey why are you talking about our fashion and they will ignore what IK said about engineering
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test1
Jun 24, 2021 11:53am
Also China's COMAC is launching C919 passenger aircraft which Pakistan is likely gonna buy from China. I can say that.
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Muneer
Jun 24, 2021 12:04pm
Congrats IK, u only have guts to allow such big bird land in Pakistan.
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Ajo
Jun 24, 2021 12:07pm
@Umar, It came from Ukraine, which is an American ally
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HissarExpress
Jun 24, 2021 12:25pm
Is it carrying some donated vaccine?
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Yenchya Aaichi
Jun 24, 2021 12:25pm
Everyone focuses on business, except for few who are perineal emotional.
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Noyb
Jun 24, 2021 12:38pm
@MG, you can take time to comment yet you cant do a simple google search to see what type of plane this and who operates it.
Recommend 0
Anna
Jun 24, 2021 12:49pm
This is Ukrainian made plane.. please don't mix two countries..
Recommend 0
SJ
Jun 24, 2021 12:58pm
It's a Soviet era plane, made by Ukraine when it was a part of the Soviet Union. After the breakup, the plane was given to Ukraine, as Antonov, the company that made the plane, went to Ukraine as well. Therefore, it's a Ukrainian plane, and the country is a US ally.
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David
Jun 24, 2021 01:20pm
@MG, Its not a US plane. Its a cargo plane built by Russia and used worldwide for shipping large sized cargo items. Just read about it or watch it on YouTube !
Recommend 0
David
Jun 24, 2021 01:21pm
@John, Seriously ? Its a cargo plane making a landing...nothing more.. full stop.
Recommend 0
Shiher
Jun 24, 2021 01:33pm
Withdrawal through CPEC.
Recommend 0
Imran Malik
Jun 24, 2021 01:45pm
So much for the rhetoric of not allowing any assistance to US with relevance to Afghanistan. They take citizens of this country as fools.
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Ahmed A
Jun 24, 2021 02:02pm
@MG, its for withdrawal of troops so no issues with that.
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Zia
Jun 24, 2021 02:16pm
Bad move
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Dr Asif
Jun 24, 2021 02:24pm
It is not Russian plane. It is Russian made but owned by Ukraine which runs a private contractual business of transporting heavy machinery between different countries. So, comments are all mistaken
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Yurii
Jun 24, 2021 02:47pm
The aircraft is made in Ukraine not in Russia. Please fix incorrect info in the article ASAP!
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Yurii
Jun 24, 2021 02:48pm
The aircraft made in Ukraine! It is no a Russian plane !!!
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Adnan
Jun 24, 2021 03:24pm
May be base equipments have delivered
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Steve
Jun 24, 2021 03:58pm
What an achievment. Btw is it a news.?
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LAHORI KID
Jun 24, 2021 04:04pm
They said the aircraft contained military cargo that was being transported from Afghanistan as part of withdrawal plan of the US and allied forces from the war-torn country Russian plane carrying military cargo from Afghanistan as part of the withdrawal plan of United States ? And you believed them ?
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Abbas shah
Jun 24, 2021 04:11pm
Such Aircraft s has dangerous effects on Atmospheric disturbances like turbulence,noise &siesmic problems &others on city &citizens in too??
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Mir
Jun 24, 2021 04:22pm
Landing and take offs of this huge beast is worth watching....
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad
Jun 24, 2021 05:05pm
Tangible sights and solid sounds of advanced, penetrating and impressive Russian technology in the fields of avionics and aeronautical engineering.
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MA
Jun 24, 2021 05:20pm
This does not look good sign at all . ABSOLUTELY NOT.
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It's me
Jun 24, 2021 06:27pm
Make sure PTI politicians and PIA don't sell it after claiming it is theirs. Escape while you can.
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It's me
Jun 24, 2021 06:28pm
@John, I am all about the bass.
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It's me
Jun 24, 2021 06:31pm
Now they will leave stuff behind stating a non-functional aircraft can only carry so much. This will be the roots of the first shipment for the bases in Pakistan. IK himself must've told them about this plan but we see it through. To what extents people can go for their personal desires for the seat is surprising.
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It's me
Jun 24, 2021 06:33pm
@test, IK is all about fashion as well. He is a product (a deranged one) of the same system.
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Hasan
Jun 24, 2021 06:40pm
@MG, its not a us plane.
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Morning Star
Jun 24, 2021 06:43pm
@sibghatullah khan, Its an Russian plane, how can it transport allied military equipment? Can anyone explain Answer: Because size matters
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Faucon
Jun 24, 2021 06:59pm
I dont know why Indians are crying on this little thing?
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dubious
Jun 24, 2021 07:09pm
@MG, "What is it 'dropping' here? Why on earth IK allowed US plane to land?" It's a Russian plane - not USA. And it's likely in Karachi because it had mechanical difficulties (not uncommon in Russia). No reason to blame IK.
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zark
Jun 24, 2021 07:59pm
photo is wrong , as-225 has double tail and six engine along with straps over wing for Russian retried shuttle.
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NACParis
Jun 24, 2021 09:06pm
American on the run and Russian back in Afganistan.
Recommend 0
Tasawar Malik
Jun 25, 2021 12:45pm
It might have delivered Russian weapons.
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M. Saeed
Jun 25, 2021 12:49pm
@MG, It is a Russian cargo plane rented by the US on commercial basis.
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Azhar Jamil
Jun 25, 2021 04:53pm
US is withdrawing from Afghanistan Military cargo used for the said purpose Russian made. Russian support withdrawal, How is it possible?
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Gfg
Jun 25, 2021 07:22pm
@MG, its Russian Ukraine cargo plane not US!
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Madaiyan
Jun 25, 2021 07:56pm
@test, you are partially right. To address this issue IK is taking steps to teach Arabic
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Patriot
Jun 25, 2021 08:08pm
Russian made plane used by US.. Interesting
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zark
Jun 25, 2021 09:54pm
behold king of sky finally visited Karachi, this piece of engineering require proper respect, every where it goes people turn on their cell phones and get MESMERIZE
Recommend 0

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