Antonov Airlines delivers Airbus Defence and Space’s newest satellite for its inaugural launch with SpaceX

Antonov Airlines has partnered with Bolloré Logistics to deliver Airbus Defence and Space’s newest satellite, ANASIS-II to the USA. It was carried from Airbus Defence and Space’s facility in Toulouse by one of the airline’s seven AN-124-100s. The direct flight landed at Florida’s NASA Shuttle Landing Facility to deliver the satellite for its first launch with SpaceX.

The satellite container used to deliver ANASIS-II measured eleven metres in length and weighed 18 tonnes. Including launch equipment, it was part of an overall payload of 36 tonnes. The operation gave Antonov Airlines and its partner the opportunity to trial its new lightweight, low profile loading equipment. The equipment is the only type of its kind and has been specially designed and manufactured by Antonov Company to transport almost any satellite container.

Commenting on the flight and the successful trial loading operation, Andriy Blagovisniy, Antonov Airlines Commercial Director, said: “We thank our valued partner Bollore Logistics for trusting Antonov Airlines with such responsible air transportation, which continues our long-term cooperation. The successful and smooth performance of this flight was the result of well-coordinated teamwork between all parties involved.”

Yorann Marc, Project Department Manager for Bolloré Logistics in Toulouse, which organised the shipment on behalf of Airbus Defence and Space, said: “Once again Antonov Airlines demonstrated its high technical level and I am always confident in their capacity to move safely our most sensitive cargo in due time. Bollore is proud to have reliable partners like Antonov Airlines for common successful highly specific transportations.”