{"id":154825,"date":"2026-08-19T17:14:13","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T11:44:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=154825"},"modified":"2026-08-19T17:03:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T11:33:00","slug":"stranded-russian-an-124-to-remain-at-toronto-pearson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/19\/stranded-russian-an-124-to-remain-at-toronto-pearson\/","title":{"rendered":"Canada Rejects Russia to Reclaim Largest Cargo Jet in the World Stranded for 4 Years"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

TORONTO\u2014<\/strong> Russia\u2019s attempt to regain control of a giant cargo aircraft stranded at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)<\/a> has suffered another setback after a Canadian Federal Court judge rejected Volga-Dnepr Airlines\u2019 (VI) challenge to the sanctions keeping the aircraft grounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Antonov An-124 has remained at Pearson for more than four years after arriving in February 2022, just as Canada closed its airspace to Russian aircraft following the invasion of Ukraine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aircraft was subsequently seized by the Canadian government in June 2023, while Ottawa has indicated that it intends to transfer the asset to Ukraine if the legal process allows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Canada
Photo: By Oleg V. Belyakov – AirTeamImages – Gallery page http:\/\/www.airliners.net\/photo\/Russia—Air\/Antonov-An-124-Ruslan\/1753224\/LPhoto http:\/\/cdn-www.airliners.net\/aviation-photos\/photos\/4\/2\/2\/1753224.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=27378917<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Court Rejects Sanctions Challenge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Volga-Dnepr Airlines sought judicial review of the Canadian government\u2019s decision to keep the airline and its former chairman under sanctions. The Russian cargo operator<\/a> had previously asked to be removed from Canada\u2019s sanctions list, arguing that it had not transported military cargo since 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canadian authorities rejected that position, maintaining that Volga-Dnepr had benefited from Russian government contracts and subsidies and had supported efforts to circumvent sanctions imposed on Moscow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latest Federal Court ruling means the airline has not secured the sanctions relief required to regain control of the aircraft. However, the decision does not bring the wider dispute over the Antonov An-124 to an end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Canadian
Photo: By Dmitry A. Mottl – Own work, Antonov 124 Ruslan, CC BY-SA 3.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=4880838<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Antonov Remains at Pearson<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The aircraft, registered as RA-82078, is an An-124-100-150 built by Aviastar-SP. Measuring about 225 feet long with a wingspan of roughly 240 feet, the freighter is among the largest mass-produced cargo aircraft ever built.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It arrived at Pearson on February 27, 2022, carrying COVID-19 test kits from China after stopping in Anchorage, Alaska, for fuel, Insagua flagged<\/a>. Canada\u2019s airspace closure prevented the aircraft from continuing its journey, leaving it parked at the airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aircraft has since become a familiar sight from nearby roads, including Highway 427 and Silver Dart Drive. Its prolonged presence has also raised questions about maintenance and the aircraft\u2019s eventual ability to return to service after years on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Canada
Photo: Md Shaifuzzaman Ayon | Wikimedia Commons\nhttps:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:UR-82008_-_Antonov_An-124-100M_Ruslan_-_Antonov_Design_Bureau_-_VGHS.jpg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n