Air Charter Service (ACS) has announced it has completed the first charter of an IL-96 into Australia. The aircraft, operated by Polet Airlines, flew from Liege, Belgium into Adelaide, SouthAustralia on 1 July.

The 4.5 tonne slewing ring for a blast furnace was too large for a B747 freighter, but not for an IL-96.

The cargo was a 4.5 tonne slewing ring for a blast furnace and, although the piece had been months in production, it was vital to get it to its destination as soon as it was finished, according to ACS. As it had a huge diameter of 368 centimetres, and could not be tilted, it was too large for a B747, which meant that the IL-96 was the ideal aircraft for the job.

Stephen Fernandez, cargo charter manager ACS Hong Kong, said: “The IL-96 was the perfect aircraft for this charter, and we’re delighted to be the first to operate into Australia with it.”

The flight itself went without a hitch and landed on schedule in Adelaide. Polet sales manager, Oleg Kuzmin, said: “We are very happy to have been able to operate the IL-96 into Australia for the first time, and we are grateful to ACS for the opportunity. We hope that this will be the first of many into the country.”