Gentle giant makes history at KMIA
A flight like this reportedly costs about R700 000 per hour.
MBOMBELA – On Saturday, history was made at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) when the biggest charter aircraft in the world landed on its runway.
The Crystal Sky Boeing 777-200LR landed at 11:10 after flying directly from Florida in the United States.
This jet is powered by a pair of massive GE90 turbofan engines and is capable of flying nearly 15 280 kilometres non-stop.
This luxury mode of transport debuted in 2017 and boasts a lounge, fully stocked bar, Michelin-star dining and state-of-the-art entertainment facilities.
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The cabin has room for 88 flatbed seats that can each be converted into beds to ease trips like this 14-hour flight.
Cat Nienaber, KMIA’s marketing manager, explained that it was a private charter with 48 passengers and 20 crew members on-board.
“After they arrived, the passengers left the airport in smaller aircraft that flew them to various lodges in the Kruger National Park,”
Nienaber explained.
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The gentle giant took off again on Sunday at 08:35 and flew to London in the United Kingdom.
“It was a momentous day for KMIA to have the Boeing 777-200LR here and we are hoping to welcome more of its kind soon,”
Nienaber said.
