Volga-Dnepr, Russia’s largest cargo airline, has issued an ultimatum to the Canadian government, threatening to take the matter to arbitration over a seized An-124 Ruslan aircraft, Russian news agency Interfax reported on Aug. 14.
In doing so, the Russian company is trying to resolve a dispute concerning the detained cargo plane, which has been in Toronto airport since Feb. 27, 2022.
The Russian carrier is proposing that the Canadian government resolve the dispute “amicably” in accordance with Article 9 and Canada’s Policy on Encouragement and Mutual Protection of Investments from Nov. 20, 1989.
Copies of the notification were sent to the Canadian PM and several other top officials.
“If this dispute is not resolved within six months from the time Canada receives the notification, Volga-Dnepr will officially initiate arbitration proceedings,” the company said.
The Russian airline added that it was conducting a humanitarian flight commissioned by the Canadian government, delivering COVID-19 test kits from China. However, after unloading, the plane was forbidden to leave Canadian territory due to a NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) that bans Russian airlines from using the country’s airspace.
In June, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau announced that Volga-Dnepr’s confiscated An-124 plane would be transferred to Ukraine.
image credit: Volga-Dnepr
