Photos: The world's largest jet is at Shannon Airport right now

The 6-engined jet with 32 wheels is travelling from America to France.

THE WORLD’S LARGEST jet has stopped off at Shannon Airport.

The Antonov An-225 Mriya touched down shortly before 3am this morning and will remain at the airport until 10pm tonight.

The jet landed in Shannon as it’s the only airport in the country with a runway large enough.

The Antonov An-225 Mriya has departed Bangor for Shannon. ETA 3:30am local time. http://t.co/ETqDYkW0CZ pic.twitter.com/V9BSh7Wuwx
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) April 11, 2015

Flightradar24 / Twitter

Because of its size, the airlifter requires a runway of between 3,000 and 3,500 meters in length to take off.

The 6-engined jet with 32 wheels is travelling from America to France.

Photos: The world's largest jet is at Shannon Airport right now

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Antonov Mriya at Shannon Airport
Source: Sean Curtin
Antonov Mriya at Shannon Airport
Source: Sean Curtin
Antonov Mriya at Shannon Airport
Source: Sean Curtin
Antonov Mriya at Shannon Airport
Source: Sean Curtin
Antonov Mriya at Shannon Airport
Source: Sean Curtin
Antonov Mriya at Shannon Airport
Source: Sean Curtin
Antonov Mriya at Shannon Airport
Source: Sean Curtin

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Many people made their way to Shannon to catch a glimpse of the jet coming in:

260km round trip beginning at 1am to see the Antonov 225 touch down. Pity about the darkness & rain but it was an amazing sight! #antonovSNN
— Marian 🎃👻 (@nairamk) April 12, 2015

MK / Twitter

Anyone else driving to Shannon for the 3:30am landing? #Antonov225 #avgeek
— Daniella Moyles (@daniellamoyles) April 11, 2015

Daniella Moyles / Twitter

This isn’t the jet’s first visit to Shannon Airport, it last landed in May 2013.

Here is it taking off (with some commentary from Irish children watching it with their dad):

Arti747 / YouTube

It was designed and built by the Antonov Design Bureau in the Ukraine.

It first flew on December 21st 1988 and was designed to transport the Russian space shuttle “Buran” to its launch site.

Originally posted 8:05 am.

Photos: The world's largest jet is at Shannon Airport right now

Antonov Mriya at Shannon Airport

Antonov Mriya at Shannon Airport

Antonov Mriya at Shannon Airport

Antonov Mriya at Shannon Airport

Antonov Mriya at Shannon Airport

Antonov Mriya at Shannon Airport

Antonov Mriya at Shannon Airport

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