ALL AIRCRAFT Antonov An-26

Antonov An-26

A short-to-medium-range aircraft known for its reliability. A military-style rear door and ramp simplify loading and unloading and permit the transport of larger single items than similar aircraft can handle.

CHARTER TODAY

Engineered for Unwavering Durability

Reliable Cargo Transport for Remote Operations

The Antonov An-26 is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft designed with a robust airframe and simple maintenance requirements. It can withstand rough handling in poor environmental conditions. Reliable and versatile, it is often used for the deployment of disaster relief supplies and equipment, transportation of oversized and heavy cargo, and delivering research equipment to remote locations with limited infrastructure.

Cargo is loaded quickly and efficiently onto the single main deck using a retractable ramp at the rear of the aircraft. Vehicles can drive on under their own power, while crates, bulk cargo, and loose items can be loaded using forklifts.

The aircraft has excellent short takeoff and landing performance and can operate from unprepared and makeshift airstrips. It performs very well at high altitudes and in mountainous areas, where challenging wind and weather conditions prevail.

Choose AirFreight.com and get the right aircraft for your shipment. Let our concierge-level customer service and complete shipment flexibility get your delivery where it needs to be when you need it there.

Exclusive use of aircraft, ensuring no conflicting priorities

24/7/365 service availability for whenever you need transport

Platinum-level service and timing to reduce stress

In-flight tracking for accurate delivery status information

Cargo Capacity & Access

The An-26‘s cargo deck extends aft of the cockpit to the rear of the fuselage. It can accommodate vehicles, palletized goods, bulk cargo, and loose cargo for a combined volume of approximately 1,348 cubic feet and a weight of approximately 12,100 pounds.

The main deck is accessed from the rear of the aircraft through a hydraulic ramp that can also function as an in-flight cargo drop door. The interior is equipped with a winch system and roller tracks to assist in the loading of heavy equipment. The large door opening to access the cargo deck, which is closed by the ramp while in flight, is 86 inches in width and 64 inches in height.

Various types of vehicles.

Machinery and palletized goods.

Oversize and heavy equipment.

Electronics and high-value goods.

Automotive and oversized machinery parts.

Perishable goods such as seafood and pharmaceuticals.

Packages and miscellaneous loose cargo.

Top Down Cutaway

Main Deck

Cargo Cross Section

Main Deck
Width: 74 in
Height: 55 in

Max Payload

Cubic ft: 1,348
Weight: 12,100

Rear Cargo Door

Width: 86 in
Height: 64 in

Range & Routes

The An-26 is optimized for short-to-medium-haul cargo operations. Its capabilities shine in remote and rugged environments, where its short takeoff and landing performance is most beneficial. It has a range of 680 miles at maximum payload.

Airport Requirements

The An-26 is equally capable of operating at modern airports at sea level or unprepared airstrips and at high elevations in almost any weather. With its powerful turboprop engines and rugged design, the aircraft is comfortable working in adverse conditions.

Taxiway Width: The minimum recommended edge-to-edge width of a taxiway for the aircraft is 50 feet. It can operate on narrow taxiways of only 40 feet wide if necessary.

Parking Apron Space: If available, the recommended space around the aircraft needed for ground service equipment is 100 feet x 100 feet to accommodate its wingspan and clearance for loading and unloading at the rear of the aircraft.

Ground Handling: The aircraft can operate without extensive ground handling infrastructure. However, the most rudimentary equipment should be considered to assist those responsible for loading and unloading the aircraft. For speed and efficiency, forklifts are recommended.

Fueling: Refueling may be carried out using fuel trucks. The An-26’s fuel capacity is up to 2,430 gallons, depending on the payload and flight distance.

Runway Requirements

Takeoff Runway Length: At maximum payload, the An-24 typically requires 4,500 feet of runway for takeoff. With lighter payloads, the aircraft may be able to take off on even shorter runways. This requirement can vary based on altitude, temperature, and wind conditions. High-altitude airports with elevations over 8,000 feet may require slightly longer runways due to lower air density.

Landing Runway Length: At maximum payload, the aircraft typically requires a runway length of only 3,600 feet. Wet, icy, or unpaved runways may increase the minimum landing distance required for safe operation.

Crew

The An-26 is typically flown with two pilots, one radio operator, one flight engineer, and one navigator. Additional cargo support personnel may be assigned to the flight by the carrier to monitor the cargo and coordinate precise end-to-end delivery.

KEY AIRCRAFT SPECIFICATIONS

Length

78 feet

Wingspan

96 feet

Maximum Takeoff Weight

52,900 pounds

Maximum Payload

Approximately 12,100 pounds

Range

680 miles with a full payload

Cargo Volume

Approximately 1,348 cubic feet

Cruise Speed

270 miles per hour

Engines

Typically equipped with two Progress AI-24VT turboprop engines with four-blade propellers

Prescheduled Expedited Shipments

Not all expedited flights have to be emergencies. AirFreight.com offers platinum-level service and timing for prescheduled expedited shipments, allowing clients to plan in advance, including remote origins and destinations. This service is ideal for clients who require reliable transportation for time-sensitive cargo but prefer to communicate the details and arrange shipping ahead of time. By coordinating logistics in advance, AirFreight.com can ensure that shipments arrive precisely when needed, optimizing efficiency and minimizing potential delays.

The Challenge

A well-known space agency had been preparing for a series of critical tests for a next-generation space rover. These tests were scheduled to take place on a dry lakebed similar to the terrain the rover would experience on the mission. The rover’s timely arrival was critical for maintaining the agency’s rigorous testing schedule and advancing its research into autonomous planetary exploration.

The rover was designed with advanced navigation, terrain adaptation, and autonomous systems to handle the changing and challenging terrain, and to independently determine the best path forward without explicit driving commands. Every component had been meticulously tested, but real-world field trials were essential before the rover could be considered for space missions. Any delay in the delivery of the rover to the test site would significantly set back the project timeline.

The space agency contacted AirFreight.com to handle the logistics of the expedited shipment. Having worked with a specific AirFreight.com Expeditor on previous missions, the agency was well aware of the company’s capabilities and attention to detail. The Expeditor assessed the logistical requirements and determined the optimal transportation plan. Since the facility was located at a former naval air station that included large runways, ground transportation to an airport wasn’t needed. An aircraft could land at the facility using the existing runways, pick up the rover, support equipment, and anyone accompanying the cargo, and fly directly to the test site.

An Antonov An-26 aircraft was selected as the exclusive-use aircraft to transport the rover and its support equipment. Its rear ramp and specialized loading capabilities made it ideal to easily load the support equipment and rover using a forklift. The forklift would also be a part of the cargo since the lakebed was a remote area without ground services to offload the cargo.

How We Solve It

The aircraft arrived at the airfield on time. The support equipment and the rover were loaded into the cargo area along with a few of the team’s personnel to monitor the cargo during the two-hour flight. With continuous in-flight tracking and real-time updates provided by the Expeditor, the agency’s ground team at the facility, who would be operating the rover remotely, remained informed about the aircraft’s status throughout the entire journey.

Right on schedule, the aircraft landed smoothly at the lakebed test site, kicking up a thin layer of dust as it rolled to a stop. The cargo bay doors opened and the forklift carefully maneuvered into position to unload the rover. After that, the forklift returned to the aircraft to offload the remaining cargo. Engineers moved in quickly to unpack and set up the support equipment with practiced efficiency. Using diagnostic tools, they calibrated the rover’s systems, checked its sensors, mobility functions, and communication links. As the final checks wrapped up, the rover was ready for its first trial runs across the rugged, simulated terrain. The entire transport was successfully seamless and uneventful.

AirFreight.com’s ability to provide time-critical logistics ensured that the space agency’s mission proceeded without delay. Our expertise in expedited shipping played a vital role in advancing the development of planetary exploration technology, reinforcing our commitment to delivering solutions that support groundbreaking innovation.