One of the world's largest cargo aircraft is coming to Prince George Airport on Friday.

A Russian-made Antonov-124 is scheduled to arrive at 11 a.m. (moved forward from the 1 p.m. arrival previously reported) to pick up seven helicopters from three B.C. businesses for a Vancouver Island Helicopter contract, airport spokesperson Lindsay Cotter said.

The plane will leave Prince George on Saturday for Edmonton and then fly on to The Azores, and from there to Luanda, Angola.

Able to carry up to 120 tonnes, the Antonov-124 is the world's third largest operating cargo aircraft behind the Antonov-225 and the Boeing 747-8F.

The plane's arrival is expected to draw a large number of aviation enthusiasts and RCMP will be out controlling traffic on the Old Cariboo Highway and local roads.

The public is asked to park at the baseball diamonds off of Old Cariboo Highway to help eliminate congestion on the busy road, Cotter said.

She also urges people to visit the airport's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/FlyYXS, for the latest updates on arrival times.