Make Antonov Fly Again

MAFA - Make Antonov “Mriya” Fly Again

MAFA emblem

MAFA emblem

Make Antonov “Mriya” Fly Again (MAFA) is a project idea initiated in August 2025, which is intended to be established in Kyiv^[wp] as a real association and affiliated with the “Antonov”^[wp] University of Aeronautical Engineering. It aims to restore the world's largest transport aircraft, the Antonov An-225 Mriya^[wp], as a teaching and learning platform for aspiring aerospace engineers.

The association sees itself both as a peace project of Ukrainian-Russian reconciliation and international understanding, and as a contribution to the reconstruction of Ukraine. By returning the An-225 to flight status, it seeks to highlight engineering competence and to set an example of cooperation across national borders.

Idea and Objectives

The association Make Antonov “Mriya” Fly Again (MAFA) was virtually founded in August 2025. After the end of the war, it is to be formally established in Kyiv and institutionally affiliated with the “Antonov” University of Aeronautical Engineering.

Membership is open to professors, lecturers and aspiring aeronautical engineers of the university; international supporting memberships are also envisaged.

The association pursues two main goals:

• as a peace project for Ukrainian–Russian reconciliation and mutual understanding,
• as a symbol of engineering excellence and a contribution to the economic reconstruction of Ukraine.

The world's largest transport aircraft, the Antonov An-225 "Mriya", which was largely destroyed during the fighting near Kyiv, serves as a teaching and learning object for the next generation of aeronautical engineers.

Once restored to flight capability, the "Mriya" is meant to appear worldwide as a beacon of resilience – a striking reminder that cooperation and hope remain possible, even after destruction.

Self-conception

MAFA is:

• an industry-based peace symbol
• an educational and engineering project of global scale
• a pragmatic contribution to Ukraine's recovery
• a test case for post-war reconciliation through cooperation

MAFA is not:

• a nostalgia project
• a one-off case
• a political tool

Symbolism

"Wings of Peace in Stormy Times"

The phoenix of technology does not rise from the ashes of violence, but from the spirit of understanding.

In a geopolitically polarised world, initiatives like Make Antonov Fly Again can help bring former adversaries back into dialogue over the bridge of engineering.

The "Mriya" will not return merely to show what is technically possible, but to prove that understanding itself remains possible – even after profound destruction.

Reconstruction and Overhaul of the aircraft

It is generally assumed that the reconstruction of the An-225 would mainly involve the fabrication of a new right wing. The tail unit and large parts of the fuselage remained undamaged. While the primary wing structure – spars, ribs and outer skin – would have to be newly manufactured, many internal systems, including hydraulics, fuel lines and control mechanisms, could be sourced from existing An-124 airframes. The cockpit, landing gear and engine installations are also largely identical and could be taken from decommissioned aircraft. Thus, the scope of new construction would be limited to highly specialized structural elements, while a considerable proportion of the required components could come from existing stock. A complete overhaul carried out simultaneously would effectively reset the service life of the airframe.

External links

• Antonov 225 Mriya Crosswind Landing at Manchester Airport - plywajacytartak (June 24, 2013) (Size: 1:38 min.)

  World's biggest plane, the Antonov 225, touches down at Manchester Airport 24 Jun 2013.