The Troll Airfield in Antarctica recently witnessed a significant event as the largest passenger aircraft to ever land on the continent touched down. The 787 Dreamliner, operated by Norwegian airline Norse Atlantic, has the highest passenger capacity of any plane that routinely lands at the South Pole. This milestone opens up new possibilities for research and logistics in the remote region.
Camilla Brekke, the director of the Norwegian Polar Institute, described the landing as a major operation and a milestone for air traffic to Queen Maud Land. The successful landing of such a large aircraft will enhance the logistics capabilities of Troll Airfield and contribute to strengthening Norwegian research in Antarctica.
The Dreamliner carried 45 researchers and crew, along with 13 tons of research equipment and supplies. With the capacity to transport 605 people, the aircraft has the potential to make air operations more attractive for other nations operating in Antarctica.
The Troll Airfield, located on 9,842 feet of blue ice, is operational only during the Antarctic summer from October to March. Typically, 6 to 10 aircraft land at the airfield each year. Blue ice is formed when air bubbles are squeezed out of compressed snow and firn layers. Glacial ice flows encircle Antarctica’s interior, moving outward from the frozen continent’s surface.
While over 29 countries have built 70 permanent bases in Antarctica, the United States has three. The largest aircraft to land near the McMurdo Station, operated by the US, is the C-5 Galaxy, which is 59 feet larger than the Dreamliner. However, the cargo plane can only accommodate seven people.
With the introduction of larger and modern aircraft like the Dreamliner, the environmental benefits for Troll Airfield are significant. These planes can help reduce total emissions and the environmental footprint in Antarctica. The research conducted at the Troll Airfield includes various fields such as weather, space weather, radiation, wildlife, glaciology, atmospheric observations, biology, seismology, and geology.
The landing of the Dreamliner marks a significant step for air traffic and research in Antarctica, creating new possibilities and strengthening international collaborations in the region.
