Antonov AN-124 Ruslan, the world’s 2nd largest aircraft, arrived at Zagreb Airport on Monday, August 19th. This aircraft, with registration RA-82078, was built in 1995 and has been operated by the current air carrier ever sunce.
Russian air carrier Volga Dnepr Airlines (VI/VDA) has started with operations in 1992. The main operational base is at Baratayevka Airport in Ulyanovsk (ULV/UWLL). Current fleet consists of 12 Antonov AN-124 Ruslans and 6 Ilyushin IL-76TD-90s. Throughout their history they operated the fleet of 30 Ilyushin IL-76s in different versions and 14 Antonov AN-12s. Although Volga Dnepr is specialized in freight operations, they used to operate passanger flights with several Yakovlev YAK-40s and Yakovlev YAK-42Ds, during a short period in their history.
From 2005. their subsidiary AirBirdgeCargo Airlines (RU/ABW) was founded, with main operational base at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow (SVO/UUEE). Their business is also freight operations, but with planes built in the USA. Their fleet consists of 13 Boeing 747-8Fs and 6 Boeing 747-400Fs.
Photo © Marko Kovačićek (ZAG/19.8.2019.)
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Photo © Avioradar – Karlo Mudri (ZAG/19.8.2019.)
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