The equipment which, with its specially-constructed load cradle and associated handling equipment weighed a total of 147 tons, was much too heavy for any other aircraft. The load was flown from Leipzig to Edmonton via Keflavik (Iceland) and Goose Bay: a total distance of 8,400 km. The charterer was the Karpeles Flight Services GmbH charter arm of DB Schenker. The flight was arranged, managed and operated by Antonov Airlines. Says Antonov Airlines’ Commercial Executive Andriy Blagovisniy:  “When a really large load such as this needs urgent transportation, the unique AN-225 Mirya really comes into its own – providing an attractive alternative to long and time-consuming ocean voyages and long, highly complex road haulage operations.”