A $90 million Russian cargo jet that has been parked at Pearson Airport for more than a year is in the process of being handed over to Ukraine.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said arrangements are being made for the jet to turned over to the Ukraine government “so that it cannot be used to support Russia’s war effort.”
The Russian-registered aircraft has been grounded at Pearson for 17-months ever since the war against Ukraine was launched. It was grounded in February 2022 after arriving from China, via the U.S., with a shipment of COVID masks.
The Russian government has called the seizure a “cynical theft,” and threatened to sever diplomatic ties with Canada if the expensive jet is not returned.
The Antonov 124 is believed to be owned by a subsidiary of Volga-Dnepr Airlines LLC and Volga-Dnepr Group, two entities against which Canada has imposed sanctions due to their actions in the war against Ukraine, according to Global Affairs.
The plane had its return flight cancelled when the Canadian government closed the country’s airspace to Russian aircraft operators, grounding it indefinitely.
The owner of the plane has been billed 74 cents per minute to park at Toronto Pearson, which adds up to $1,065.60 for each 24-hour period, according to airport officials.
The seizure is the first in the Government of Canada’s plan of action to put pressure on Russia to stop its war against Ukraine by straining its economy and limiting its access to resources that fuel the war.
The large white and blue cargo jet, which can carry up to 50 tonnes, had arrived in Canada on the same day sanctions were announced. Neither the Greater Toronto Airport Authority nor Transport Canada have said what happened to the pilot or the passengers.
Some members of the Russian community said they filed refugee claims to remain in Canada.
The government also announced that Canada is imposing additional sanctions against 24 individuals and 17 entities in Ukraine as part of the Special Economic Measures (Ukraine) Regulations.
The jet is priced up to $90 million and remains the largest military transport aircraft in the world. It was designed for long-range delivery and air-dropping heavy or bulky cargo, including machines, equipment and troops. It can travel up to 700 kilometres an hour and carry 400 plus troops a distance of about 5,400 kilometres.