CHINA: China To Deploy US-built Aircraft In Antarctica Expedition

China for the first time will deploy a US-built transport aircraft as part of its latest expedition of the resource-rich Antarctica region, where the Communist giant has stepped up its presence with five research stations. The fixed-wing Basler BT-67, named Snow Eagle 601, will operate supply runs and other logistics missions for expedition teams within a radius of 1,300-kilometre around China’s Zhongshan Station in Antarctica, said Qin Weijia, deputy head of the administration. The expedition is set to take off next month.

The US-built aircraft will also serve as a transport link between Zhongshan and Kunlun stations and nearby stations of other countries, Qin was quoted as saying by state-run Xinhua news agency. China has increased its presence in Antarctica by building two more research stations taking the total number to five. Since China lacks aircraft operation experience in the virtually uninhabited Antarctica region — an ice-covered landmass and site of the South Pole — the plane will be operated by Canadian airliner Kenn Borek Air.