Ukrainian Ruslan cargo aircraft catches fire at Japanese airport

A Ukrainian Antonov An-124-100 Ruslan cargo aircraft operated by Antonov Airlines has caught fire at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Japan.

Source: Japanese broadcaster NHK; global aviation news, insight and analysis hub FL360aero

Details: The fire broke out as the cargo aircraft was landing.

The incident led to the runway being closed for 15 minutes, after which it reopened.

Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is investigating the circumstances of the incident.

Background:

• In May 2022, the state-owned company Antonov said that five An-124-100 Ruslan aircraft were temporarily based at Leipzig Airport in Germany because international flights could not be operated from Ukraine.
• After being upgraded, an Antonov Airlines An-124-100 Ruslan was flown to Germany. Built in 1994, the aircraft has logged more than 21,000 flight hours and completed over 5,500 flights.
• In 2025, it was reported that one of Antonov's subsidiaries was beginning construction of an aircraft maintenance hangar at Leipzig Airport in Germany.

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