Netizens share excitement over arrival of world's largest aircraft Antonov AN-225 Mriya

The world’s largest aircraft the Antonov AN-225 Mriya arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Saturday morning, sparking excitement on social media platforms.

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd corporate communications general manager Nik Anis Nik Zakaria told Bernama that the aircraft was at KLIA for refuelling purposes only.

The plane flew in from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, India and will fly to Perth, Australia once it has refueled.

The last time the gigantic aircraft landed in Malaysia was in 2007.

Mriya is taxiing to the bay. We are pleased to host the biggest plane in the world, Mriya. #antonov #an225 #kul pic.twitter.com/Ssv7XsIk9N
— Malaysia Airports (@MY_Airports) May 14, 2016

Mriya is now parked safely. Just look at her sexy back. #antonov #an225 #kul pic.twitter.com/azRLncyQWh
— Malaysia Airports (@MY_Airports) May 14, 2016

Netizens shared their excitement as they observed the plane landing at KLIA.

THE Flying Monsters,Antonov 225 Mriya Ukraine safely arrived at KLIA Malaysia this morning Seconds visit since 2007 pic.twitter.com/IW8hnf0SFJ
— HAZIQ ASYRAF JR (@Haziq_Escobar) May 14, 2016

The world largest cargo aircraft in KLIA, Malaysia! Antonov 225 pic.twitter.com/VaheB4VSDN
— NUR AMEERA (@ameerazulkefli) May 14, 2016

Nah video antonov landing kat klia tadi. Video dpt dri group sebelah. pic.twitter.com/N1Gz8JT7Ih
— RMIM (@xedadx) May 14, 2016

Biggest plane in the world @ KLIA --> ANTONOV-AN225 pic.twitter.com/q4CJgjIDjz
— Aliffarhan (@AlepAleep) May 14, 2016

Previously, the Antonov AN-225 Mriya garnered the same attention from netizens in India.

Welcome to #india Antonov An-225 the world's largest cargo aircraft stopped at @RGIAHyd enroute to Perth pic.twitter.com/63o5igzSJL
— Praveen Sundaram (@fotoyogi) May 13, 2016

Ukrainian #Antonov #AN225 in #India, Hyderabad. pic.twitter.com/gGNrZg9YzB
— (@Antonov_GP) May 13, 2016

World's largest cargo plane Antonov AN-225 Mriya powered by 6 turbofan engines (weights 640 tonnes) lands in India. pic.twitter.com/GZTu8I29ha
— NTA News (@NTANewsNow) May 13, 2016

The plane was built in the 1980s during the former Soviet Union era.

The wide body aircraft is powered by six turbofan engines and is the longest and heaviest airplane ever built, with a maximum takeoff weight of 640 tonnes, a statement said.

It has the largest wingspan of any aircraft in operational service, the statement said, adding the plane is specially built to undertake transcontinental route airlifting load between 180-230 tonnes.