Chapman Freeborn brings MRI machine to Maldivian atoll
Chapman Freeborn Airchartering and the Dubai (UAE)-based heavylift carrier Maximus Air recently teamed up to deliver the first MRI machine to Addu Atoll, the southernmost atoll in the Maldives archipelago. Before the machine arrived, patients of the Hithadhoo Regional Hospital needing MRIs had to fly 560 km to the capital Malé.
To ship the MRI machine and 166 components, Chapman Freeborn worked with Maximus Air for an AN-124 charter from DWC. The use of the Antonov aircraft generated significant cost savings when compared with an alternative proposal calling for three separate flights using smaller IL-76.
It was the first time an AN-124 landed at Gan International Airport, which completed infrastructure upgrades in 2016. Because of limited local cargo-handling capabilities, Chapman Freeborn project managers accompanied the cargo to help supervise the safe unloading and handling of the shipment. (ah)