Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has revealed that efforts to seize a long-abandoned Russian cargo plane at Toronto Pearson International Airport have involved unraveling its intricate ownership structure. Speaking at a recent press briefing, Anand emphasized the legal complexities of the process while highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting Ukraine during its time of crisis.
The aircraft in question is the Antonov An-124, a colossal plane that has remained grounded at the airport for several years. Anand described the situation as a protracted and convoluted affair, pointing out the challenges posed by the involved parties’ use of elaborate corporate arrangements.
The saga began in February 2022 when the plane, operated by Russian airline Volga-Dnepr and built by Ukrainian company Antonov, landed in Toronto to transport COVID-19 rapid test kits from China on behalf of the Canadian government. However, due to Canada’s airspace closure to Russian aircraft following the invasion of Ukraine, the plane was prevented from leaving and has been immobilized ever since.
Anand clarified that the government took possession of the aircraft immediately after the invasion to prevent its potential use against Ukraine. Despite facing backlash from Russia, which labeled the seizure as “shameless theft,” Canada has proceeded with legal action to secure the forfeiture of the plane.
The forfeiture process has involved serving notice to the various entities associated with the ownership of the aircraft. While progress has been made in serving most of the parties involved, difficulties in reaching one entity have necessitated the initiation of court proceedings to advance the case.
Simultaneously, Volga-Dnepr has invoked a 1989 bilateral investment agreement between Russia and Canada to pursue damages in a separate legal action. If the forfeiture is granted, the Canadian government intends to return the Antonov to Ukraine, although extensive maintenance is anticipated due to its prolonged grounding.
Anand underscored the significance of replenishing Ukraine’s Antonov fleet, especially in light of the destruction inflicted on the country’s aircraft by Russia. However, the timeline for the cargo plane’s potential transfer to federal ownership remains uncertain given the intricate nature of the forfeiture proceedings.