RUSLAN heavyweight freighters could once more be produced in both Russia and the Ukraine following an upturn in demand for the aircraft. A strong increase in charter demand and recent export sales of the Antonov An-124 to Libya and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have raised the possibility of relaunching series production of the heavyweight freighter. A number of companies in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), including the current operators of the type Antonov Airlines and Volga-Dnepr Airlines, assembly facilities Aviastar and Aviant, avionics specialist NPK Irkut and engine manufacturer ZMKB Progress, have joined forces to develop a working group to study the viability of relaunching the project, and a decision could be made before the end of the year. Over the past two years, both Antonov Airlines and Volga-Dnepr have been expanding their fleets of the type to meet with increasing demand for oversize freight services. The working group believes that a market exists for up to 80 aircraft by 2025 providing the recent demand continues. In the short-term, the airlines are seeking to source old military aircraft and convert them for commercial operation, but are concerned as the number of spare airframes available is now down to single digits.
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