Hi Fly successfully conducted a new flight bound for Antarctica, utilizing an Airbus A340-300 registered as 9H-TQZ. The route, originating from Cape Town and landing on the Wolf’s Fang runway, carried some tourists, scientists, and essential cargo.
Witness the breathtaking spectacle of an Airbus A340 landing amidst the icy wilderness of Antarctica. ????
Hi Fly A340 proudly holds the record for the biggest airliner to ever operate in Antarctica, and has returned to the White Continent for its third consecutive season. pic.twitter.com/AvQgqbaBUc
— Hi Fly (@hifly_airline) November 30, 2023
The preparation of the landing strip in the white continent was crucial for the safe arrival of the Airbus A340. This operation is carried out directly on the Antarctic ice, requiring specialized techniques to ensure safe operations and snow-free areas on blue ice runways. This type of ice, dense and capable of supporting the weight of wheeled aircraft, demands specific precautions.
The Wolf’s Fang runway, with a length of 3,000 meters and 60 meters wide, ensured extreme operational safety. During the landing on the Antarctic blue ice, the aircraft executed a special braking procedure. This method involves the use of reversers and air brakes (Speed Brake), bypassing the landing gear brakes to prevent potential runway excursions.
This marks the third consecutive year that Hi Fly has operated an Airbus A340-300 in Antarctica, solidifying its position as the largest commercial passenger aircraft to land on the white continent. This achievement underscores the technical and operational capabilities of the airline in facing the unique challenges of this remote region.
