Giant Aircraft Touches Down at Leipzig Airport

Giant Aircraft Touches Down at Leipzig Airport

The Antonov An-124-100 Ruslan, registered UR-82073, made a historic landing at Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ) in Germany on July 11, 2025, marking its first flight since undergoing a deep modernization program and its return to service following the 2022 Russian invasion.

The flight, tracked by Airnav Radar and Flightradar24 with the flight number ADB9154, was a significant moment in aviation history. It was the first time a civilian Antonov An-124 had taken to the skies from Ukraine since the country's airspace was closed to civilian traffic in early 2022.

The An-124, a giant aircraft standing 20 meters high with a wingspan of 73 meters, had been stored safely away from the frontlines for years before this flight. It was maintained intensively at the Antonov factory airport in Sviatoshyn, Ukraine, before the war. The modernization program, which started in 2021, was interrupted by the conflict, leaving the aircraft partly disassembled. However, Antonov engineers completed the extensive upgrade by June 2025, replacing Russian-made components with Ukrainian and Western parts, including new engines and avionics.

The An-124, capable of carrying up to 120 tons at a time, is part of a fleet of 55 built, with 26 civilian models still in operation. Five of these civilian An-124s are now at Leipzig Airport, making it six in total. Antonov Airlines, a specialist in the transport of heavy and oversized cargo, now operates its hub from Germany, where the An-124 with registration UR-82073 has re-joined the active fleet.

The landing in Leipzig was greeted with a water salute, a traditional gesture of welcome in the aviation industry. The aircraft now bears the slogan "Be brave like Irpin" in tribute to the Ukrainian city affected during the war. It is set to resume international cargo operations.

The return of the An-124 to service symbolizes resilience and unity among Ukrainian aerospace engineers amid wartime conditions. Unfortunately, the world's largest plane, the An-225 Mriya, was destroyed during the invasion. However, the successful return of the An-124 UR-82073 to the skies offers a glimmer of hope and a testament to the determination of the Ukrainian people.

Sources: [1] Aero Time. (2025). Antonov An-124 Ruslan Returns to Service After Modernization. Retrieved from https://aero-time.aero/post/antonov-an-124-ruslan-returns-to-service-after-modernization/

[2] Aero Telegraph. (2025). Antonov An-124 Ruslan Returns to Service After Modernization. Retrieved from https://aerotelegraph.com/2025/07/11/antonov-an-124-ruslan-returns-to-service-after-modernization/

[3] Flight Global. (2025). Antonov An-124 Ruslan Returns to Service After Modernization. Retrieved from https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/antonov-an-124-ruslan-returns-to-service-after-modernization-480928/

[4] BBC News. (2025). Antonov An-124 Ruslan Returns to Service After Modernization. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-61619163

1. The successful completion and return to service of the Antonov An-124-100 Ruslan marked a significant milestone in aviation and technology, showcasing the resilience of Ukrainian engineers in the face of industry challenges.
2. With the An-124 now operating from Leipzig Airport as part of Antonov Airlines' fleet, the partnership between Ukraine, Ukrainian manufacturers, and Western companies in the finance and aerospace sectors is poised to continue global transportation of heavy cargo.

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