3 ms·

Which makes me wonder: why aren't there new An-224 or An-225 cargo planes being build for the logistics industry - shouldn't there be ample demand?

• masklinn 7y ago
  Costs of operation. Airbus considered then abandoned the 380 Freighter, because despite the higher payload and range its higher operating costs than 747s (the reference for commercial cargo) were considered a non-starter. While it was refitted and is active again, the An-225 was a strategic plane with the singular purpose of transporting Buran. After he dissolution of the USSR, it was mothballed for nearly a decade.
  • jacquesm 7y ago
    Big factor too is that the 747s can be had very cheap now that a lot of them are retired from passenger service.
    • masklinn 7y ago
      That's true but I don't know how popular conversions are compared to "true" cargo builds or "combis".