Boeing 757 Lands on Antarctica for the first time in history

The first commercial Boeing 757 has landed in the blue ice runway at Union Glacier, Antarctica.

Mashable reported that the Icelandic airline Loftleidir landed the jet in the region Thursday. The expedition was prepared for seven months. Before the Boeing 757, only cargo and military jets have the capability to land on the ice in this place. Blue ice is ice that recrystallizes and hardens when snow falls on the glaciers.

In a report by Grape Vine, the Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions (ALE) and NAS Corporation Limited cooperated with Loftleidir to make the project happen. ALE brings 500 visitors to the region every season. The company plans to bring more people to the country through larger commercial airplanes.

"ALE is researching the potential for utilizing conventional passenger airliners in addition to passenger/cargo combination aircraft," according to ALE. "The Boeing 757-200 ER, fitted with 62 business class seats, will enhance passenger comfort yet maintain the safety of ALE's activities and aircraft resources."

The Telegraph UK reported that people who will visit Antarctica can visit the highest peak in the region Mount Vinsion, witness the emperor penguins of Weddell Sea coast, and go to the South Pole. Scientists will definitely be the major passengers that will visit the region. The Boeing 757 was the first commercial plane that landed on the region, but the Airbus A319 also landed at Casey, Antarctica in 2008.

The Union Glacier has also been used by piston engined aircrafts, such as the Douglas DC-6B. The landing strip in the Union Glacier is ungraded ice.

A RNZAF 757s have landed at the US base located in McMurdo in the past, but only on one occasion. McMurdo has the Wilkins Blue Runway or the Pegasus runway, which is used by the Australian Antarctic Division.

With more aircrafts to bring visitors and scientists, ALE has enhanced its evacuation capabilities, ensuring safe and environmentally friendly travels.