Antonov suggests int’l crowdfunding effort could revive Mriya giant

Antonov has appealed to the international aviation community and all people concerned to join efforts to revive the legendary An-225 Mriya, the world’s largest cargo aircraft, that was destroyed by Russian invaders in its home base in Hostomel outside Kyiv.

This is stated in the address by Antonov CEO Serhiy Bychkov, Ukrinform reports.

"Dear citizens of all countries of the world! Among all transport aircraft, the An-225 Mriya aircraft of the Antonov State Enterprise occupies a special place – the largest in terms of cargo volumes and unsurpassed in its parameters… Despite these hard times, the Antonov team are resolute in their belief that the irreversible loss of the legendary aircraft as one of the symbols of modernity cannot be allowed and that work must start on the revival of the flagship transport aircraft, An-225 Mriya… We propose to establish an International Fund,” said the statement.

As noted, for over 30 years of operation, the plane has proven its unique flight features and the ability to transport oversized cargo. A total of 240 unbeaten world records have been set by the An-225. In addition to the well-known shipments of civilian and humanitarian cargo, the An-225 aircraft has the ability to carry out a midair horizontal launch of spacecraft and missiles, as well as shipments of certain types of cargo on the fuselage.

The proposal on financial support of the project of the An-225 Mriya revival was addressed to the heads of states and governments of all countries, global aviation producers; foreign partner companies that participated in the creation of aircraft and other An products and supplied their products for the serial production of Antonov aircraft, management of banks and other financial institutions; aviation fans and enthusiasts, the world aviation community, and all people concerned, "who admired the greatness of the Ukrainian Mriya."

The application contains details of accounts in foreign banks to which funds can be transferred with the mark "Non-refundable financial assistance."

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on February 27, Russian occupiers destroyed the flagship of Ukrainian aviation, the legendary An-225 Mriya, at the Antonov airfield in Hostomel near Kyiv. The restoration of the aircraft will cost more than $3 billion and take time.