avion 29 Mar 2026 10 min

Antonov AN-124 Ruslan: Specs & Cargo Capacity

Complete Antonov AN-124 Ruslan specifications: 120-tonne payload, cargo hold dimensions, built-in loading ramps, and detailed performance data for heavy-lift air freight chartering.

Available 24/7/365

Cargo team reachable around the clock, including weekends and holidays.

Dedicated cargo fleet

Access to 5,000+ cargo aircraft, from turboprops to 747 Freighters.

Quote in 2 hours

Firm price, confirmed capacity and detailed flight plan within 2h.

Real-time GPS tracking

Full cargo traceability, from loading to final delivery.

The Antonov AN-124 Ruslan is the largest cargo aircraft regularly available for commercial charter anywhere in the world. Originally designed by the Antonov Design Bureau in the Soviet Union for strategic military airlift missions, this aircraft has become the indispensable tool for oversized air transport since the end of the Cold War. With a payload capacity of 120 tonnes and a pressurised cargo hold of 750 m³, the AN-124 pushes the boundaries of what air freight can accomplish.

This article presents the detailed technical specifications of the AN-124, its cargo hold dimensions, self-loading capabilities and its role in today’s heavy-lift charter market. For any logistics manager dealing with oversized freight, the AN-124 often represents the only viable airborne solution.

General Technical Specifications

The AN-124 Ruslan (NATO reporting name: “Condor”) made its maiden flight in 1982 and entered service in 1986. Its military design endows it with unique capabilities for the civilian sector.

Specification	Value
Manufacturer	Antonov ASTC (Ukraine)
First flight	26 December 1982
Length	69.10 m (226 ft 8 in)
Wingspan	73.30 m (240 ft 6 in)
Height	20.78 m (68 ft 2 in)
Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW)	405,000 kg (893,000 lb)
Operating empty weight (OEW)	175,000 kg (385,800 lb)
Maximum payload	120,000 kg (264,550 lb)
Engines	4x ZMKB Progress D-18T
Thrust per engine	229.5 kN (51,600 lbf)
Cruise speed	800-850 km/h (430-460 kn)
Cruise altitude	10,000-12,000 m (33,000-39,000 ft)
Range (max payload)	4,500 km (2,430 nm)
Range (reduced payload)	7,500 km (4,050 nm)

Specifications conform to data published by Antonov Company and reflect the AN-124-100 variant, the most common commercial version.

Cargo Hold Dimensions and Loading Capacity

The AN-124’s cargo hold is the largest of any commercial cargo aircraft in regular service. It is fully pressurised, which permits transport of altitude-sensitive goods.

Main Cargo Compartment

Specification	Value
Usable length	36.50 m (119 ft 9 in)
Floor width	6.40 m (21 ft)
Height	4.40 m (14 ft 5 in)
Volume	750 m³ (26,500 cu ft)
Maximum floor load	120,000 kg
Floor bearing capacity	2,000 kg/m²

The 6.40 m width is a critical differentiator: it enables side-by-side transport of two 20-foot ISO shipping containers — an impossibility on any other commercial cargo aircraft. The 4.40 m height accommodates vehicles, standard containers and large industrial equipment.

Integrated Loading System

The AN-124 carries a self-contained loading system that makes it independent of ground infrastructure:

2 overhead cranes rated at 10 tonnes each, mounted beneath the cargo hold ceiling
Electric winches integrated into the floor for lateral load positioning
Reinforced roller floor enabling effortless pallet movement
Kneeling gear system that lowers the fuselage to facilitate ramp loading

This system enables loading and unloading at airports lacking cargo handling infrastructure, which is critical for humanitarian missions, military deployments and operations to remote destinations.

Loading Doors and Ramps

Access Point	Dimensions	Feature
Nose ramp	6.40 m x 4.40 m	Nose opens upward, ramp deploys to ground
Rear ramp	6.40 m x 4.40 m	Hydraulic rear opening
Drive-through access	Full capability	Enter forward, exit aft (or reverse)

The drive-through configuration is unique in commercial aviation. A tank, a helicopter on a trailer or a turbine on a transporter can enter through the forward ramp and be positioned in the hold without any turning manoeuvre, reducing loading time by 30 to 50% compared to side loading.

Operational Performance

The AN-124 was designed to operate from semi-prepared runways, a characteristic inherited from its military origins.

Scenario	Payload	Range
Maximum payload	120,000 kg	4,500 km
Standard payload	80,000 kg	5,800 km
Reduced payload	40,000 kg	7,500 km
Ferry (empty)	0 kg	15,700 km

The range at maximum payload of 4,500 km necessitates technical stops on intercontinental routes. A Europe-to-Asia or Europe-to-Americas flight typically requires one to two refuelling stops. Ground time per stop is approximately 2-3 hours, including refuelling and inspections.

Runway requirements:

Configuration	Required runway
Takeoff at MTOW	3,000 m
Takeoff at reduced weight	2,500 m
Landing	900 m (with thrust reversal)

The 900 m landing capability is remarkable for an aircraft of this size and opens access to regional airports and military airfields inaccessible to Boeing 747F aircraft.

The AN-124 Charter Market

Availability of the AN-124 for commercial charter has evolved significantly in recent years. The global fleet comprises approximately 20 to 25 operational aircraft, distributed between:

Antonov Airlines (Ukraine): historic operator, reduced fleet since 2022
Volga-Dnepr Group (Russia): principal civilian operator, availability impacted by international sanctions
Other operators: a small number of AN-124s operated under specific military contracts

This relative scarcity makes advance planning essential. For an AN-124 charter, a lead time of 7 to 14 days is typically required, compared with 3-5 days for a Boeing 747-400F.

Specific Use Cases

The AN-124 excels in missions impossible for any other aircraft:

Power plant turbines and generators. Gas turbines from manufacturers such as General Electric and Siemens, weighing up to 100 tonnes and measuring 10-12 metres in length, can only be transported by air in the AN-124. The oil, gas and energy sector is one of its primary client bases.

Helicopters and rotorcraft. The AN-124 transports complete helicopters (AW139, Bell 412, Chinook) with rotors removed. The hold width accommodates two medium helicopters side by side.

Military and defence equipment. Armoured vehicles, air defence systems, rapid-deployment logistics equipment. The drive-through capability enables loading and unloading in operational conditions. See our military and defence air cargo guide.

Humanitarian aid. The AN-124 can deliver the equivalent of 5 field hospitals or 1,000 tonnes of freight in 8 rotations to disaster zones. Its ability to operate from degraded runways is a decisive advantage in crisis contexts.

Yachts and vessels. Yachts of 20 to 25 metres in length can be transported whole inside the AN-124’s hold, avoiding a weeks-long maritime shipment.

Comparison with Other Heavy-Lift Freighters

Criterion	AN-124 Ruslan	Boeing 747-400F	Airbus Beluga ST	Il-76TD-90VD
Max payload	120 t	113 t	47 t	50 t
Hold volume	750 m³	858 m³	1,400 m³	321 m³
Hold width	6.40 m	6.10 m	7.10 m	3.45 m
Hold height	4.40 m	3.04 m	6.70 m	3.40 m
Integrated ramp	Yes (fore + aft)	No	No	Yes (rear)
Overhead cranes	2 x 10 t	No	No	No
Range (max payload)	4,500 km	8,240 km	4,000 km	4,000 km

The AN-124 combines payload capacity, hold width and a self-contained loading system that no other aircraft matches. The Boeing 747-400F offers greater range and total volume, but its hold is shorter in height and width, and it lacks loading ramps. The Airbus Beluga, despite its exceptional volume, is limited in payload and is not available for regular commercial charter.

24/7Availability

2hGuaranteed quote

7 000+Aircraft

98%Satisfaction

Pricing and Cost Factors

The cost of chartering an AN-124 reflects its scarcity and unique capabilities:

Route	Price range
Intra-European (e.g. Frankfurt-Istanbul)	EUR 150,000 – 250,000
Europe-Middle East (e.g. Paris-Dubai)	EUR 250,000 – 400,000
Europe-Asia (e.g. Leipzig-Singapore)	EUR 350,000 – 500,000
Long-haul intercontinental (e.g. Europe-Australia)	EUR 500,000 – 800,000

These rates generally include the flight, basic ground handling and use of the integrated loading systems. Technical stops, special overflight permits and specific ground handling (cranes, abnormal load road transport) are charged additionally.

Planning an AN-124 Charter

To execute a successful AN-124 charter, the following elements are critical:

Allow adequate lead time. The aircraft’s scarcity requires a booking window of 7 to 14 days minimum. During periods of high demand (military deployments, natural disasters), lead times can extend further.

Provide precise cargo data. Weight, exact dimensions, centre of gravity of each piece, handling conditions. The AN-124 has overhead cranes, but their use must be planned in advance.

Verify airport compatibility. The AN-124 requires a runway of 2,500 to 3,000 m and sufficient apron space to deploy both forward and rear ramps. Not all airports can accommodate it.

Plan ground transport. Oversized freight typically requires abnormal load road transport between the factory and the airport, and between the destination airport and the final site. This ground logistics must be synchronised with the flight schedule.

Contact Private Jets Connect for a tailored AN-124 charter quote. Our network enables us to source available aircraft within the shortest lead times and coordinate the entire logistics chain, from collection site to final delivery. Request your quote at privatejetsconnect.com/en/cargo.

Have an air freight need? Contact Private Jets Connect today.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about our services

What is the maximum payload of the Antonov AN-124?

The Antonov AN-124 Ruslan can carry up to 120 tonnes of freight with a cargo hold volume of 750 m³. Its pressurised hold measuring 36.5 m long, 6.4 m wide and 4.4 m high is the largest among regularly available charter cargo aircraft, enabling transport of oversized industrial equipment that no other aircraft can accommodate.

Does the AN-124 have a built-in loading ramp?

Yes, the AN-124 features dual loading ramps: a forward ramp (under the nose which opens upward) and a rear ramp. This configuration allows drive-through loading, where vehicles and heavy equipment can enter from one end and exit from the other, significantly reducing loading times.

How much does it cost to charter an Antonov AN-124?

Chartering an AN-124 costs between EUR 150,000 and EUR 500,000 depending on distance and logistical complexity. An intra-European flight starts around EUR 150,000, flights to the Middle East or Africa range from EUR 250,000 to EUR 400,000, and intercontinental flights can exceed EUR 500,000. The cost is justified by the absence of alternatives for heavy oversized freight.

How many Antonov AN-124s are still in service?

Approximately 20 to 25 AN-124s remain operational worldwide, primarily with Antonov Airlines (Ukraine) and Volga-Dnepr Group (Russia). Availability has been impacted by geopolitical tensions since 2022, making advance planning even more critical when chartering this unique aircraft.

What types of cargo does the AN-124 transport?

The AN-124 specialises in oversized and super-heavy freight: power plant turbines (up to 100 t per unit), helicopters, locomotives, electrical transformers, yachts, mining equipment, military materiel and large-scale humanitarian aid. Its pressurised hold and built-in 2 x 10-tonne overhead cranes enable self-sufficient loading without specialised ground infrastructure.

Our expertise