History will be made at Dublin Airport today when the largest commercial aircraft to ever arrive at the airfield touches down.

On board is Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who is visiting Ireland for two days in a Boeing 747-8.

The plane has a wingspan of 68m and is 76m long - bigger than Air Force One which carries the US President.

A little bit of history will be made at Dublin Airport tomorrow night when we will welcome a 747-8 - the largest ever commercial aircraft to arrive at Dublin Airport. The plane, carrying Chinese Premier Li Qiang, will arrive shortly after 7pm. ✈️

⏩ https://t.co/34yPDI40rq pic.twitter.com/6SHNKJdYKa

— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) January 15, 2024

The plane is expected to land at 7pm with airspace restrictions due to come into force later today.

Qiang, who is the second in command to the Chinese president, will meet the Taoiseach for a bilateral meeting at Farmleigh tomorrow.

He will also hold talks with President Michael D Higgins.

Dublin airport said a no-drone-zone in place from 3pm today until 3pm tomorrow afternoon.

Attention drone operators: Flight restriction (No-Drone-Zone) in place over Dublin City from 16-17 January, during the visit of the Premier of the People's Republic of China. More info. @ https://t.co/wKIWwqp5VV #drones #uas pic.twitter.com/2tEJFqnn4A

— IAA (@IAApress) January 12, 2024

There will be rolling road closures in place and the Phoenix Park will shut to cars and pedestrians from 7pm tonight for 24 hours.

Main image: An Air China Boeing 747 airplane at Frankfurt airport. Image: Lukas Wunderlich / Alamy Stock Photo