Man and machine from Australia to Brazil
Chapman Freeborn and Antonov Airlines have transported 370 t of mining plant equipment from Australia to Brazil in three Antonov An-124 aircraft.
The flights took place on 20 February, 26 February and 1 March, leaving from Melbourne where the cargo was manufactured, and were interrupted by many fuel and rest stops in places including India, Azerbaijan, Germany, Iceland, USA, Senegal and Suriname.
Due to the pandemic, the aircraft flew with reduced crews, so they had to land for frequent rest stops, rather than crew swaps taking place while air-bound. Each stop entailed the crew being escorted to a hotel for approximately 12 hours for sleep and the aircraft being refuelled. Additionally, rapid Covid-19 tests had to be conducted during each rest window prior to the next leg of the flight. (ah)