Airport, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation, Transport

The Defense Ministry's spokesman Kaspars Galkins told LETA that the costs for using this aircraft's service will be covered by the European Union (EU). The amount of costs is about EUR 1.5 million.

"An-225 Mriya" is a USSR freight plane manufactured during 1980s at the Antonov Design Bureau. It is the world's longest and weightiest aircraft that was ever built and used. Its load-carrying capacity is 250 tons, maximum takeoff weight – 640 tons, wing-span – 88 meters.

Currently, only one "An-225" has been built.

As reported, on April 29, the Cabinet of Ministers authorized the involvement of 40 Latvian servicemen in the military operation in CAR for a time period of six months. Their main duties will be to guard the capital city's airport, ensure safe delivery of humanitarian aid to the city and conduct patrols.