The Aviant state aviation plant in Kiev has received permission from the Ukrainian government to sell a newly completed Antonov An-124-100 Ruslan transport aircraft to the United Arab Emirates, according to Ukraine's ministry of industrial policy.
The aircraft was assembled using components produced in Soviet times, before aircraft production was transferred to the Aviastar plant in Russia. Aviant has completed a further two An-124s since 2001 and sold these to Libya. Talks with the UAE on the deal, worth around $38 million, were completed during last December's Dubai air show. The aircraft was initially destined for service with Russia's Atlant-Soyuz airline, which failed to raise the necessary funds to complete the purchase.
Source: Flight International
