A Canadian Federal Court has rejected Volga-Dnepr Airlines’ bid to overturn sanctions-related restrictions, keeping its An-124 cargo aircraft grounded at Toronto Pearson Airport. The aircraft, registered RA-82078, has been parked at the airport for about four and a half years, while the airline remains unable to recover control of the jet under Canada’s sanctions regime.
The ruling leaves in place a key legal hurdle for Volga-Dnepr, which sought removal from Canada’s sanctions list as part of its wider challenge. The court found the airline had not demonstrated that the ministerial decision was unreasonable or procedurally unfair, closing off that route to relief for now.
The case has drawn wider attention because the aircraft was seized or impounded after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and Canada imposed sanctions in 2023. One report also said the court ordered Volga-Dnepr to pay about C$6,000 in costs, although that detail was not reflected in all coverage.