Thousands watch the incredible moment the world's largest plane touches down after an epic journey to transport a 117-tonne mining generator halfway around the world
- Tens of thousands of people have gathered for the arrival of the world's largest plane in Perth
- Antonov An-225 Mriya was been delayed by two hours and is scheduled to arrive just before noon
- The colossal aircraft is transporting a 117 tonne electric power generator for a Western Australian mining company
- Traffic was gridlocked due to the huge turnout of spectators at the airport
- The giant plane wieghs 600 tonnes and can hold the equivalent of ten British battle tanks
The incredible moment the world's biggest plane touched down in Australia has been captured on camera.
The Antonov An-255 Mriya landed in Perth just before 12pm on Sunday, with tens of thousands of fans cheering on as massive plane hit the tarmac.
More than 15,000 people gathered in a temporary viewing area on Airport Drive, giving them a perfect view as the 600-tonne beast came into land.
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Thousands that gathered at Perth Airport to view Antonov AN-225 Mriya (pictured) were in awe of the colossal aircraft as it made its way onto the landing strip
Thick white clouds of smoke erupted from the impact of the 42 tyred Antonov AN-225 Mriya (pictured) as it came to a screeching halt on the tarmac
Some fans even parked on the side of the road to watch the landing, causing traffic chaos around the airport for much of the morning.
'The sheer size of the An-225 was breathtaking, with the click of camera shutters audible over the roar of the six engines as it taxied past,' Perth Airport spokeswoman Fiona Lander said.
'Never before has the An-225 made its way to Australia and the people of Perth made the most of its visit today.'
The aircraft, which took off from Prague, Czech Republic, on Friday, is in Australia to transport a 117-tonne mining generator for Western Australian resources company Worsely Alumina, according to WA Today.
A Groundstaff member signaled to pilots after the arrival of the Antonov AN-225 Mriya at Perth International airport as it came to a standstill
A Pilot waved a Ukrainian flag from the cockpit window after landing the Antonov AN-225 Mriya to mark the historic arrival to Perth
The Antonov AN-225 Mriya is welcomed with a water canon shower after making the long journey from Central Europe to the Australian Outback
A much needed water cannon shower cools the plane down after the long journey. It will be two days before the plane can take off again
The Ukrainian-built Antonov An-225 Mriya aircraft touched down in Perth on Sunday morning at 11.50am almost two hours after it was expected to land
Measuring in at 84 metres long and with a wingspan of 88 metres - almost twice the width of a traditional football field - the plane has acted as a commercial transporter of oversized payloads for over two decades.
Without a load, the colossal Antonov An-225 Mriya can fly for up to 18 hours without stopping to refuel.
The aircraft has 32 wheels, a wing span of 84.4 metres and a maximum take-off weight of 640 tonnes.
The massive plane will remain in Perth until Tuesday.
The airplane is pictured leaving Václav Havel Airport in Prague on its way to Perth Airport in Western Australia
The enormous plane is transporting a 117-tonne generator purchased by a West Australian resources company
The plane is set to arrive at Perth airport two hours later than expected due to air traffic delays. The massive aircraft will now touchdown at 11.50am local time
The last time a large crowd, the size expected on Sunday, flocked to Perth Airport was in the 1980s when the Concorde supersonic airliner landed
The six-engine, 600 tonne aircraft was initially built to transport the Soviet space shuttle 'the Buran' in the late 1980s
Aviation Association of WA president David Eyre said it may be the only time the six engine plane travels to Australia
Mr Eyre said: 'It's a once in a lifetime opportunity for everybody so that's why everyone's so excited about it'
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