Antonov AN-124 heavy and smokey takeoff at Zurich Airport!

📅 10.08.2013
📍 LSZH | ZRH - Zurich-Kloten Airport 🇨🇭
🎨 Polet Airlines
✈️ Antonov AN-124-100 Ruslan
🇷🇺 RA-82068
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Whenever an Antonov showed up at Zurich Airport, it felt like a special event since those majestic aircraft were the best opportunity to get some great videos or photos for spotters! Seen here taxiing to the runway, then taking off with its iconic smooth climb and smoke from the engines! Sadly, the visits of those soviet era aircraft became rare with the time, especially due to the war situation, which bans Russian owned aircraft from EU airspace for the time being.
Polet Airlines, which operated cargo and domestic passenger flights, ceased operations in 2014. This specific aircraft was then handed over to Volga-Dnepr Airlines.