The Airbus A340 has landed on the runway in Antarctica after a journey of over 5 hours from Cape Town, South Africa. The flight was operated by Wolf’s Fang Resort to deliver supplies to their facility in the region.
The runway at the Wolf’s Fang resort in Antarctica is only suitable for highly skilled pilots landing under extreme weather conditions. The thick ice in Antarctica can support the weight of the A340 aircraft. However, pilots still face challenges due to the all-white snowy landscape, which can cause glare, hindering visibility and vehicle control.
The Airbus A340 landing in Antarctica on November 23. (Photo – PR).
Additionally, Captain Carlos Mipuri stated that the airport does not have landing guidance on the runway like other conventional infrastructures.
Furthermore, due to the all-white runway blending with the surrounding environment, it is difficult for pilots to assess altitude during the landing process. However, with many years of experience, Captain Mipuri safely landed the aircraft in Antarctica without any incidents.
This is the first Airbus A340 to reach Antarctica. (Photo – PR).
The first flight to Antarctica was conducted in 1928 by Australian military pilot George Hubert Wilkins, using a Lockheed Vega 1 aircraft. This was one of the reconnaissance flights aimed at mapping Antarctica.
To date, there are still no airports built in Antarctica, except for about 50 runways serving research and exploration activities.
