A Canadian Federal Court has rejected a challenge by Russia’s Volga-Dnepr Airlines over sanctions that have prevented the company from reclaiming an Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft stranded at Toronto Pearson International Airport for more than four years.
The ruling represents another setback for the Russian cargo carrier as it attempts to recover the massive freighter, which has been grounded in Canada since February 2022. The decision, however, does not resolve the broader legal dispute surrounding the aircraft’s ownership and potential transfer to Ukraine.
Federal Court Rejects Volga-Dnepr Sanctions Challenge
Volga-Dnepr Airlines sought judicial review of the Canadian government’s decision to keep the company and its former chairman on the country’s sanctions list.
The airline had previously asked Canadian authorities to remove those restrictions, arguing that it had not transported military cargo since 2018. Ottawa rejected that request, maintaining that the carrier had benefited from Russian government contracts and subsidies and had supported efforts to circumvent sanctions imposed on Moscow.
The latest Federal Court decision means Volga-Dnepr has failed to secure the sanctions relief it would need to regain control of the aircraft. The ruling leaves the airline facing separate forfeiture proceedings in Canada and an international arbitration claim against the Canadian government.
Canada imposed broad economic sanctions and closed its airspace to Russian-owned, chartered and operated aircraft following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Antonov An-124 Has Remained at Toronto Pearson Since 2022
The aircraft at the center of the dispute is an Antonov An-124-100-150 registered as RA-82078 and built by Russian manufacturer Aviastar-SP.
Cargo Flight Arrived Shortly Before Airspace Closure
The freighter arrived at Toronto Pearson on February 27, 2022, while transporting COVID-19 test kits from China. It had stopped in Anchorage, Alaska, for fuel before continuing to Canada.
The Canadian airspace closure prevented the aircraft from departing Toronto, leaving it parked at Pearson. Over the following four years, the giant jet became a familiar sight to motorists traveling along nearby Highway 427 and Silver Dart Drive.
Measuring approximately 225 feet long and featuring a wingspan of about 240 feet, the An-124 is among the largest mass-produced cargo aircraft in aviation history. The heavy-lift jet was designed to transport oversized equipment and other cargo that conventional commercial freighters cannot accommodate.
Its extended period on the ground has raised questions about its condition, maintenance requirements and whether it could safely return to service without extensive inspections and repairs.
Canada Seeks Forfeiture and Possible Transfer to Ukraine
The Canadian government ordered the aircraft seized on June 8, 2023, under the Special Economic Measures Act. Ottawa said the action formed part of its wider sanctions response to Russia’s invasion.
If Canadian courts ultimately order the aircraft forfeited to the Crown, the federal government has indicated it could work with Ukraine to determine how the asset might support reconstruction or compensation efforts.
Forfeiture Proceedings Add to Complex Legal Dispute
Canada formally launched forfeiture proceedings involving the An-124 in March 2025. Those proceedings are separate from Volga-Dnepr’s challenge to its sanctions designation and must move through the Canadian court system before the aircraft’s long-term fate can be determined.
The disagreement has also expanded beyond Canada. Volga-Dnepr is pursuing an international arbitration case seeking the aircraft’s return or financial compensation. The airline values its claim at no less than US$100 million.
That arbitration case could create additional financial and diplomatic complications, particularly if an international tribunal reaches conclusions that differ from those of Canadian courts.
Aircraft’s Final Destination Remains Uncertain
Despite the Federal Court setback for Volga-Dnepr, the An-124 is unlikely to leave Toronto Pearson in the immediate future. Questions involving sanctions, forfeiture, ownership rights and international law remain unresolved.
For now, RA-82078 will stay grounded at Pearson as Canada, Volga-Dnepr and Ukraine await the outcome of the remaining court and arbitration proceedings. The final decision could establish an important precedent for how countries handle high-value Russian assets seized under sanctions.
