Ruslan International, a Russian outsize freight operator, has used an AN-124-100 freighter supplied by Volga-Dnepr Airlines, to play a pivotal role in the testing of the new Airbus A380 passenger aircraft, a company release announced.

The giant Airbus aircraft recently went to Iqaluit, Canada's northernmost town, to undergo tests in sub-zero temperatures. The town's cold weather conditions attract major aircraft manufacturers and military groups as part of the certification process for new aircraft and helicopters that requires them to function at -40 degrees C.

In support of the project, Ruslan International carried a variety of ground- handling equipment on board one of its 120-tonne capacity AN-124s from the US. The cargo included ground power units for the A380, airstart and air conditioning units, tug and towing equipment, lubricants and ancillary items.

As part of the programme, the A380 was exposed to the extreme temperatures for more than 10 hours.

Dennis Gliznoutsa, vice president sales of Ruslan International, said: "Operating into Iqaluit helps to demonstrate the unique capability of the AN-124 because the airport is very restricted by weather and runway conditions. This is not Volga-Dnepr's first service to Iqaluit. We have previously supported extreme weather condition tests for the EC225 helicopters, carrying one of then new helicopters from Marseille to Canada."

The release also explained that this was not Volga-Dnepr's first opportunity to support the A380 programme. The airline had previously carried Pratt & Whitney engines for the new Airbus A380 aircraft from the US to Toulouse, France and Rolls Royce engines from East Midlands in the UK.