American Airlines called on an Antonov An-124 at the weekend after one of its Boeing 777-200 ended up stuck in Charlotte with a malfunctioning engine. The chartered Antonov was called upon to assist in transferring a Rolls-Royce Trent 800 engine, which was whisked south from New York's John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK).

According to data published by the Department of Transport, Antonov Airlines applied for an exemption on August 11th to operate the domestic route to assist the American carrier. Trackers on Flightradar24.com show the An-124-100 was positioned at JFK on Saturday 12th and transported the engine to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) later that evening.

Foreign air permit

Antonov Airlines, a carrier of Ukraine, holds a permit to engage in charter flights for foreign air transport to/from the United States. The purpose of the operation was to return the 777-200 to service as soon as possible for American Airlines by transporting the necessary parts.

The Trent 800 aircraft engine and its associated parts weigh up to 26,000 lbs, and given its size and weight, it was faster and easier to get a specialist in to deliver the cargo. Antonov's speedy response to this urgent shipment allowed it to relieve American Airlines in its sticky situation. Of the Antonov aircraft variants, the An-124-100M can operate with a payload of 330,693 lb. (150,000 kg) and fly 2,000 NM (3,700 km).

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

As for any airline, when a plane is on the ground, it usually isn't making its owner any money, as reiterated in a letter to the Department of Transport from American Airlines, Global Logistics Specialist Vincent Palmieri reiterated that the use of ground transport would take up to five days for the parts to be delivered, and should the 777 remain out of action, this would incur lost revenue to the carrier of approximately $125,000 per flight.

Antonov Airlines

With its headquarters in Kyiv, Ukraine, the cargo carrier usually operates from its base at the international cargo facility at Hostomel Airport (GML). However during due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the airport site became an intense battleground, including an event becoming known as the Battle of Antonov Airport. This was when the infamous Antonov An-225 Mriya (the world's largest aircraft) was destroyed. With the carrier looking to protect its remaining assets, it has moved its hub to Germany and currently operates from Leipzig Halle Airport (LEJ).

Photo: 2273945673 / Shutterstock

Sources: Regulations.gov