<p>THE WORLD’S biggest aircraft has landed at Perth Airport in front of thousands of excited spectators on its first trip to Australia. </p>

THE WORLD’S biggest aircraft has landed at Perth Airport in front of thousands of excited spectators on its first trip to Australia.

The Antonov An-225 Mriya, meaning “dream” in Ukrainian, landed at Perth at around 11.30am local time after a long journey from central Europe.

As these exclusive pictures by Brisbane-based planespotter Beau Chenery show, the one of a kind plane lived up to its name of Mriya — Ukrainian for “dream”.

The world's largest aircraft, the Antonov An-225 Mriya, coming into land at Perth Airport. Picture: Beau Chenery

Contracted by Worsley Alumina to transport a 117-tonne power generator from Prague, the Antonov attracted more than 15,000 aviation buffs from throughout Perth and beyond.

Not even a two-hour flight delay — due to a schedule change by Air Traffic Control in Kuala Lumpur — could deter the crowds.

A big plane just landed at Perth airport #AN225 – wow pic.twitter.com/1SPML1M0Rr — Phillip Kemp (@phil_kemp) May 15, 2016

Traffic around the airport was gridlocked and people booked on flights out of the city complained that carparks were full as a result of the much-anticipated landing.

It is the first time the Antonov has ever come to Australia, despite flying since December 1988.

With a maximum takeoff weight of 640-tonnes, the Antonov was the only aircraft capable of transporting the power generator required by Worsley’s Bunbury plant.

A Worsley Alumina spokesman said they had looked into shipping the generator but it would have taken too long.

The Antonov An-225 Mriya in the skies over Perth. Picture: Beau Chenery

He declined to say what hiring the Antonov cost the company.

Perth Airport Executive General Manager External Affairs, Fiona Lander said the level of interest in the Antonov was unprecedented.

“The sheer size of the An-225 was breathtaking with the click of camera shutters audible over the roar of the six engines as it taxied past,” said Ms Lander.

“Never before has the An-225 made its way to Australia and the people of Perth made the most of its visit today.”

The world's largest aircraft, the Antonov An-225 Mriya, dwarfs everything else at Perth Airport. Picture: Beau Chenery

Measuring 84-metres in length, and with a wingspan of 84.4-metres, the Antonov has never been replicated — although it is believed a second An-225 is currently being built in Russia.

The Mriya was crewed by 21 people including seven cockpit crew, one flight manager, six engineers and additional support.

It will remain in Perth for about 48-hours before heading to Germany.

The unloading of the generator is expected to take around 12-hours, using a sophisticated system of ramps and cranes.

Mr Chenery hired a helicopter to capture a different angle of the An-225, describing it as a “once in a lifetime experience”.

“It’s what I would consider to be one of the monuments of aviation alongside the Concorde, the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 747,” said Mr Chenery.

“It’s very unique purely because of the sheer size and the fact it has six engines.”

The 600-tonne aircraft took off from Kiev Airport in Ukraine on Tuesday, first flying to Prague to pick up its cargo — a 120-tonne power generator.

Refuelling stops in Turkmenistan, Hyderabad and Kuala Lumpur followed before the final and longest leg of its journey, the 4067km trip from KL to Perth.

The world’s largest aircraft, the Antonov An-225 Mriya has made its first ever Australian appearance. Picture: AFP/Genya Savilov

Weather was the main concern for spectators hoping to get a shot of the enormous plane touching down in the West Australian capital.

Built in the 1980s by the Soviet Union’s Antonov Design Bureau, the An-225 is a one-of-a-kind aircraft measuring 84-metres long and with a wingspan of 88-metres.

It has six turbofan engines to power its bulk through the sky, and 32 wheels on which to land.

In contrast the world’s biggest passenger jet — an A380, has four engines, 22 wheels and an 80-metre wingspan.

Beau Chenery said the An-225’s arrival in Perth would be an event he’d remember forever.

Plane spotter Beau Chenery has travelled to Perth from Brisbane for the Antonov’s landing. Picture: News Corp Australia

“It’s the first time this aircraft has come to Australia and it could very well be the last,” said Mr Chenery who estimated about 300 planespotters had made the trip to Perth for the occasion.

“This truly is an opportunity of a lifetime for aviation enthusiasts and for the public.”

Weather was critical for a clear shot, and Mr Chenery was hopeful of a “perfect day”.

“I’ll be hiring a helicopter to photograph the aircraft’s arrival and if there is cloud, it needs to be above 1500 feet so we can get airborne,” he said.

“Bad weather and the opportunity to photograph (the Antonov) from a helicopter is over.”

Perth Airport’s External Affairs Executive Fiona Lander, said they had worked closely with Antonov to try to ensure that everyone who came to see the aircraft got a good view on Taxiway Charlie.

“For the best vantage point for the arrival of the Antonov, the public should head towards Terminal 1 and 2 and follow the event signage on Airport Drive to a temporary dedicated event zone,” said Ms Lander.

“Free parking will be available from 6am in long term carparks G and K.”