An AN-124-100 Ruslan cargo aircraft lifted Russia's 2014 Winter Olympic Torch high into the sky above the city of Ulyanovsk on the first day after Christmas. As part of the official torch relay program, the Olympic flame was encased in a secured lantern and placed in the aircraft. While onboard, it was accompanied by an entourage of flame guardians together with a series of Volkswagen Amarok trucks that had been driven into the spacious hold of the world’s largest serial airlifter. The giant Antonov 124 Ruslan freighter has been rightfully deemed a symbol of Ulyanovsk, where it first went into serial production back in 1986. This was the culmination of a large 10-year construction project to build the manufacturing plant for the aircraft that is known today as Aviastar-SP. A whole city district of aviators informally named ‘New Town’ with a population of over 140,000 grew next to the production line. The flight was operated just two days after the AN-124-100 celebrated the 31st anniversary of its maiden flight. With its 36.5m long and 4.4m high cargo hold, the AN-124 is the best and practically the only choice to carry up to 36m long and 150-ton heavy one-piece cargo items by air around the globe. The aircraft has set 21 world records, including payload capacity (over 170 tons to 10,750m altitude) and range on a circular route (over 20,000 km).