How much to fly the world’s biggest plane? #antonov #aviation #money

The Antonov An-124 Ruslan is one of the largest cargo aircraft ever built—and one of the most expensive to operate. On a typical heavy-lift charter from Dubai to London Heathrow (around 3,400 miles / 5,500 km), this Soviet-designed giant can transport up to 120 tonnes of oversized cargo that most aircraft simply cannot carry.
In this video, we break down the economics of operating one of the world’s rarest cargo aircraft.
Estimated Revenue
Charter Revenue: $700,000–$1,000,000
Premium emergency or time-critical missions can exceed $1.2 million
Estimated Operating Costs

⛽ Fuel
Burn rate: 1,700–1,900 US gallons per hour
Flight time: ~7 hours
Total fuel: ~13,000 gallons
Estimated cost: $40,000–$55,000

🛬 Airport & Navigation Fees
Heathrow landing charges
Dubai airport charges
Air navigation and overflight permits
Ground handling services
Estimated cost: $45,000–$65,000

👨‍✈️ Flight Crew
Pilots
Flight engineers
Loadmasters
Crew positioning, accommodation and allowances
Estimated cost: $15,000–$30,000

🔧 Maintenance
Engine reserves
Scheduled maintenance
Spare parts
Airframe inspections
Estimated cost: $40,000–$80,000

📦 Other Operating Expenses
Insurance
Dispatch and flight planning
Operational support
Miscellaneous expenses
Estimated cost: $20,000–$30,000
Total Estimated Operating Cost
$180,000–$220,000
Estimated Profit Per Flight
$450,000–$800,000, depending on the charter rate and cargo type.

With only around 15 Antonov An-124s remaining in commercial service worldwide, demand for these aircraft remains extremely high. Whether transporting helicopters, power turbines, satellites or humanitarian aid, the Ruslan continues to carry cargo that no other aircraft can.
Sources: Public aircraft performance data, commercial cargo charter estimates, airport fee schedules, and aviation industry operating cost analyses.

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