Hyderabad’s Sky Giant: The Antonov An-124 Ruslan Makes a Grand Landing

Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) recently witnessed a spectacular event: the landing of the Antonov An-124 Ruslan, an aircraft renowned as one of the largest and heaviest cargo planes on Earth.

Known as the world’s second-heaviest production cargo aircraft (after the unique Antonov An-225 Mriya, which was sadly destroyed during the Russia-Ukraine war), the An-124 Ruslan continues to serve as the largest military transport plane. Equipped with four robust turbofan engines and boasting impressive long-range capabilities, it’s purpose-built for moving exceptionally large and heavy loads, from military gear to vital humanitarian aid.

Airport officials confirmed that the giant aircraft flew in from Abu Dhabi International Airport. After a brief stay at RGIA to collect cargo, it then departed for Dubai. An airport representative noted, “Being a dedicated cargo plane, it was here specifically for cargo operations.”

In a proud statement, the RGIA management highlighted their capability in accommodating such an immense aircraft. “We are incredibly proud to have hosted the Antonov An-124 Ruslan on our runway,” the statement declared. “This event truly showcases our state-of-the-art facilities and robust cargo infrastructure, proving our ability to handle such a sky giant. It firmly reinforces RGIA’s dedication to meeting even the most challenging global transport demands.”

Interestingly, Hyderabad Airport has a history with aviation titans. The even larger Antonov An-225 Mriya, tragically destroyed during the Russia-Ukraine war, made its inaugural landing in India right here in Hyderabad back in May 2016.