WATCH: Boeing 737 departs Cape Town, makes rare landing in Antarctica
· The South African
European airline Smartwings recently completed a record logistical flight to Antarctica, delivering Norwegian researchers and supplies there for the 20th time.
The Czech air operator landed at the Troll Research Station in Queen Maud Land using a Boeing 737 MAX 8, in what ranks among the most complex civil flights in the world.
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The aircraft departed Cape Town for the final leg of the journey after a narrow weather window opened over the Antarctic ice runway.
The dramatic landing – captured on video – shows the aircraft descending onto a runway carved out of compacted ice in one of the most remote regions on Earth. Watch:
From Cape Town to Antarctica
The aircraft began its journey on 23 February, departing Oslo in Norway. It travelled through Prague and Abuja before arriving in Cape Town the following day.
Cape Town acts as a key gateway for Antarctic research missions because of its location on the southern tip of Africa.
After arriving in the city, the crew waited two days for favourable weather conditions before attempting the flight south.
In the early hours of 26 February, the Boeing 737 MAX departed Cape Town for the Troll Research Station.
According to Josh Eyre from Simple Flying, landing in Antarctica requires strict meteorological conditions.
“This includes suitable visibility, wind, and surface quality on the ice runway,” he writes.
The aircraft successfully delivered supplies and equipment to support ongoing polar research activities.
Logistics operations to Antarctica rely on short weather windows. Image: Smartwings/ FacebookA specialised Boeing polar mission
Only a handful of civilian airlines in the world are equipped to operate flights into Antarctica.
Smartwings has built up experience in these specialised operations, with the recent journey marking the airline’s 20th Antarctic logistical mission.
After landing successfully, the aircraft remained overnight at the research station so the crew could rest and prepare for the return flight.
On February 27, the jet departed Antarctica carrying members of a polar expedition. It returned to Cape Town before continuing back through Africa and Europe.
For aviation enthusiasts, the footage offers a rare look at what landing a Boeing jet on the frozen continent looks like.