Most Colorado cargo charters happen because a shipment is too urgent or too large for scheduled freight.
The Antonov An-124 Ruslan entered service in 1986. It has a published range of 2,430 nautical miles and a cruise speed of 459 knots. The aircraft has a service ceiling of 39,400 feet and 36,680 cubic feet of cargo volume.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Cargo Aircraft
- Manufacturer: Antonov ASTC
- Year introduced: 1986
- Seating: Crew only (cargo)
- Crew: 6
- Range: 2,430 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 459 knots
- Service ceiling: 39,400 feet
- Length: 226.7 feet
- Wingspan: 240.5 feet
- Height: 68.2 feet
- Baggage volume: 36,680 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Crew only
Why the Antonov An-124 Ruslan Fits Colorado
With 2,430 nautical miles of published range, it covers trips from Denver to destinations such as Kansas City, Nashville and Boston, allowing for reserves and routing. Summer afternoon thunderstorms can hold departures at Denver, so a morning departure often leaves more room in the day.
Centennial caps aircraft at 70,000 lb maximum takeoff weight, or 75,000 lb for Stage III aircraft, so heavier aircraft leave from Denver International, Rocky Mountain Metropolitan, Colorado Springs or Colorado Air and Space Port. At Colorado’s elevations, whether the aircraft can use a particular airport on your date is the operator’s call for that aircraft, its weight and the day’s conditions, and your advisor will confirm it before anything is booked.
How Colorado Clients Use the Antonov An-124 Ruslan
Freight flights to and from Colorado carry urgent parts, relief supplies and equipment too large or too time-sensitive for scheduled cargo. Whether the freight loads through a large side door or the nose can matter as much as the aircraft’s payload.
Tell us the weight, the dimensions and where the load is collected and delivered, and your advisor will say whether this aircraft suits the shipment or suggest one that suits it better.
Vetting Behind Every Trip
Every operator, aircraft, and crew goes through our internal due diligence before we present any options. Our internal standards meet or exceed what the FAA requires:
- FAR Part 135 charter operators for traditional private aircraft, or FAR Part 121 for airliner-size and group trips (or the foreign equivalent on international legs)
- Operator subscription to Wyvern and ARGUS reviewed where the operator participates.
- Pilot experience and operator incident history reviewed before we recommend an aircraft.
- Fewer than 60 brokers worldwide hold Premium Wyvern Broker Member status, and Air Charter Advisors is one of them.
Charter Pricing Reference
- Estimated hourly rate: $25,000 to $35,000 (as of 10/2026)
Other Cargo Aircraft Available
- ATR 72F
- Boeing 737-400 Freighter
- Boeing 737-800BCF
- Boeing 747-400F
- Boeing 747-8F
- Boeing 757 Freighter
Contact
For a quote on an Antonov An-124 Ruslan charter in or out of Colorado, call an advisor at 1-888-987-5387, or send the trip through our contact page. You can read how we review operators and crews on our safety page, and compare other categories in the aircraft gallery.
The hourly rates provided are estimates based on 2026 market data and are for informational purposes only. These figures are subject to change and do not constitute a final offer. Final pricing is dynamic and depends on real-time factors including, but not limited to, specific itinerary requirements, aircraft positioning (“ferry” fees), fuel price volatility, and current market availability. These estimates exclude all applicable taxes, de-icing, landing and handling fees, special event fees, international surcharges, overnight crew expenses, and premium catering. Please contact Air Charter Advisors directly for a firm, all-inclusive quote tailored to your specific travel needs.