No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaAntonov An-124 expected in Costa Rica on Friday afternoon

Antonov An-124 expected in Costa Rica on Friday afternoon [Updated]

Update: The plane’s flight has been changed to Friday, May 31. FlightAware lists a 5:23 p.m. arrival time.

To track the plane on FlightAware, click here.

The Antonov An-124 is carrying a 30-ton transformer that will be transported from Alajuela to Limón and installed at APM Terminals Moín.

“Thanks to the support and seriousness of our company and the commitment that APM Terminals has with its clients and Costa Rica, there was no objection to making the investment and moving equipment of this size by air,” said Kenneth Waugh, director general of APM Terminals.

Original story: 

Residents living in the Central Valley should turn their eyes skyward Thursday afternoon.

An Antonov An-124, among the world’s largest planes, is expected to land at Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría International Airport.

According to aviation blog AviacionCR.net, the massive Ukrainian jet is scheduled to land at approximately 3:30 p.m. It will reportedly remain on Costa Rican soil for a week.

An An-124 visited Costa Rica last November, delivering a replacement engine for a stranded aircraft.

The transport aircraft was designed and built in the Soviet Union, and the type’s first flight was in 1982.

A previous version of this story said the aircraft is Russian. While the plane flies for a Russian cargo airline, Antonov is a Ukrainian company.

Trending Now

Beatriz Haddad Maia Carries Brazil’s Hopes into the Australian Open

Beatriz Haddad Maia comes to the Australian Open in January 2026 as Brazil’s clearest singles reference point and one of the few Latin American...

The Palmares 2026 Festival is Costa Rica’s biggest January Event

For first time visitors, the Fiestas de Palmares can feel like several Costa Rican traditions stacked into one place. It is part town fair,...

Sebastián Báez Enters Australian Open with Momentum

As the tennis world turns its attention to Melbourne for the 2026 Australian Open, Argentine player Sebastián Báez stands out as a steady force...

El Salvador Reports Record Low Homicide Rate Due To Gang Crackdown

El Salvador recorded its lowest homicide tally since tracking began, with government officials announcing 82 murders in 2025, a sharp drop from the previous...

Chainsmokers Star Drew Taggart Marries Model Marianne Fonseca in Costa Rica

Musician Drew Taggart, known as half of the electronic duo The Chainsmokers, married model Marianne Fonseca in a private wedding on a Costa Rican...

Dubai Duty Free New Year’s Draw Makes Costa Rican Millionaire

A resident of Costa Rica has claimed a major prize in an international lottery, marking a milestone for not only for him (understatement of...
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica