Volga-Dnepr has has re-started the commercial operations of its AN-124-100 flights after the completion of technical checks and execution of service directives "to a full extent."

The carrier earlier took the decision to temporarily ground the aircraft on safety grounds. 

"It appears that we have been able to re-start our An-124-100 operations before the end of this year. We are in the process of diligent execution of the service directives, the technical checks are on the right track,"said Konstantin Vekshin, chief commercial director of Volga-Dnepr Group.

"As expected, our first An-124-100 is back in the air again. The ultimate return will be incremental and we will still take our time to follow the guidelines reflected in the service directives," he added.

Volga-Dnepr said it has taken a "thorough approach" towards re-launch of An-124 commercial operations to secure the utmost flight safety in line with existing industry and internal standards.

According to Flight Radar 24, RA-82077 has conducted three flights since December 26 — operations between Leipzig-Shanghai; Shanghai-Moscow; and Moscow-Riga with the last flight as of end December taking off on December 28.