Belarusian cargo carrier Rada Airlines is set to reactivate a rare Ilyushin Il-62 aircraft that has been parked for 5 years.
Very few of these Soviet-era jets remain active around the world, but Rada Airlines relies on the type in a freighter configuration for its network of ad-hoc cargo services.
At present the airline, which is based at Minsk, operates two Ilyushin Il-62s. However, one aircraft which it acquired in 2021 is set to be reactivated to add additional capacity.
A Third Il-62 in Service
The aircraft in question, seen in 2014. Photo: Benjamin Granucci
The aircraft in question is EW-564TR, which was built in 1993. It is one of the youngest Il-62s, and was previously flown by the Republic of Gambia for government and VIP flights. It was registered C5-RTG.
Since being sold to Rada Airlines it has remained stored at Vitebsk in Belarus. The aircraft, which still wears its Gambian livery, is now set to undergo a complete overhaul of its systems and engines before returning to flight.
Belarus, and Rada Airlines, are on Western sanctions lists and as a result find it difficult to procure parts or more modern Western aircraft. Therefore the carrier is likely to see the cost and effort in bringing this classic airliner back to life outweigh the difficulties in finding aircraft to operate its flights.
Who Else Flies the Il-62?
The Ilyushin Il-62 is all but forgotten in aviation circles now.
Only North Korean carrier Air Koryo is thought to have a passenger-carrying example in service.
Elsewhere, modified Il-62s are still in service with the Russian government and air force fleets.
Rada Airlines represents the last commercial carrier in Europe to fly the Il-62. However, with sanctions in place these four-engine beauties are not likely to be seen in Western skies any time soon.
Did you ever fly on an Ilyushin Il-62? Leave a comment below!
