An-24
Antonov · Regional airliner / military transport · Soviet Union · Early Jet (1946–1969)
The Antonov An-24 (NATO reporting name Coke) was the Soviet Union's most-numerous short-haul turboprop airliner. Antonov built 1,367 An-24s between 1959 and 1979 at the Kiev plant; an additional ~158 Xian Y-7 Chinese licence variants continue in production. The An-24 served Aeroflot and ~40 export operators on short-to-medium-range domestic and short-haul routes from the early 1960s onward. The aircraft remains in active commercial service in 2026 with North Korean, Cuban, and several smaller former-Soviet operators.
The An-24 used two Ivchenko AI-24 turboprop engines (2,550-2,820 shp each). Maximum speed 311 mph; range 1,300 miles with maximum load; service ceiling 27,560 ft. Capacity: 50 passengers in standard four-abreast configuration. The aircraft was a high-wing twin with a small auxiliary RU-19A turbojet (1,765 lbf) added on the right rear engine nacelle from the An-24RV variant onward — used for engine starting + as a takeoff boost from short / hot / high airfields. The An-24 directly seeded an extensive family of derivatives: An-26 (military cargo), An-30 (aerial survey), An-32 (re-engined export), and the Chinese Y-7 / MA-60 / MA-700 family that continues in production.
An-24 service was concentrated in Aeroflot short-haul service. Aeroflot operated about 800 An-24s on Soviet domestic short-haul routes 1962-1991. Export operators included Cuba (Cubana), East Germany (Interflug), Vietnam Airlines, Air Mongolia, Air Koryo, LOT Polish Airlines, and ~30 others. The An-24's robust construction tolerated the rough operating environment of remote-area airfields; the aircraft remains in active commercial service in 2026 with North Korean Air Koryo, Vietnamese smaller operators, Cubana de Aviación, and several Russian commuter airlines. Chinese Xian Y-7 production continued through the 2000s and was succeeded by the larger MA60 / MA700 family that continues in production.
For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version
The Antonov An-24 Coke was the Soviet Union's most-numerous short-haul turboprop airliner. About 1,367 An-24s were built between 1959 and 1979. Many of them are still flying in 2026 with North Korean, Cuban, and other operators. The Chinese Xian Y-7 is a licensed copy still made today.
The An-24 is 79 feet long with a 95-foot wingspan, smaller than a Boeing 737. Two Ivchenko AI-24 turboprop engines each make 2,550 to 2,820 horsepower. Top speed is 311 mph, faster than most race cars. The plane carries 50 passengers in standard layout.
Some An-24s have a small jet engine added on the right engine nacelle. This is the RU-19A turbojet, used for engine starting and for extra thrust on short, hot, or high-altitude airfields. This is a unique feature on the An-24.
The An-24 seeded a huge family of derivatives. The An-26 is a military cargo version. The An-30 is an aerial survey version with cameras. The An-32 has more-powerful engines for hot-and-high airfields. About 40 countries flew An-24s over the years.
Fun Facts
- The An-24 Coke was the Soviet Union's main short-haul turboprop airliner.
- About 1,367 An-24s were built between 1959 and 1979.
- The An-24 is 79 feet long, smaller than a Boeing 737.
- Top speed is 311 mph, faster than most race cars.
- Some An-24s have a small jet engine for takeoff boost.
- About 40 countries have flown An-24s over the years.
- China still builds an An-24 copy called the Xian Y-7.
Kids’ Questions
Why add a small jet?
Some An-24s have a small RU-19A turbojet on the right engine nacelle. The little jet does two jobs: starts the main turboprop engines on the ground (no external starter cart needed) and adds extra thrust during takeoff. This helps the An-24 take off from short, hot, or high-altitude airfields where the turboprops alone would struggle.
How is it different from a Boeing?
The An-24 is smaller than a Boeing 737 and uses turboprop engines instead of jets. Turboprops are slower (311 mph versus 540 mph) but burn less fuel and can land on shorter, rougher runways. The An-24 also has a high wing, like military planes, while Boeing 737s have low wings. The An-24 is built for tough conditions; the 737 is built for paved airports.
Why so many derivatives?
The An-24 was reliable and cheap. Antonov reused the same body for many missions. The An-26 added a cargo ramp for military use. The An-30 added a glass nose and cameras for mapping. The An-32 added more-powerful engines for high-altitude airfields. Each version targeted a different mission while sharing parts with the An-24.
Variants
- An-24A / B / V / RV
- Standard production sub-variants 1959-1979. Engine and avionics improvements; RV variant added auxiliary RU-19 turbojet for starting + takeoff boost.
- An-26 (military cargo derivative)
- Military cargo variant with rear cargo ramp + tail gunner position. About 1,403 built; covered separately.
- An-30 (aerial survey derivative)
- Aerial-survey variant with glazed nose + cabin camera ports. Covered separately.
- An-32 (re-engined export)
- Above-wing engine layout for hot/high operations. Indian Air Force is largest user. Covered separately.
- Xian Y-7 / MA-60 / MA-700 (Chinese family)
- Chinese licence-built variants 1985-present. Y-7 ~158 built; MA-60 / MA-700 continuing production at Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation.
Notable Operators
- Aeroflot (Soviet)
- Largest historical user. ~800 An-24s in Soviet domestic short-haul service 1962-1991.
- Air Koryo (North Korea)
- Largest current operator. ~10 An-24s in active commercial service in 2026, mostly on Pyongyang-China routes.
- Cubana de Aviación + smaller commercial operators
- Cuba, Vietnam, Mongolia, Russia, Ukraine, several African operators retain An-24 fleets in 2026 — combined ~40-50 active airframes worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the An-24 still flying?
Yes — about 50 An-24s remain in active commercial service in 2026 across North Korean, Cuban, Vietnamese, Russian, and a handful of African operators. Commercial use is declining as the airframes age and Western alternatives (ATR, Bombardier Q400) become available, but the An-24 remains in-servicely valuable in remote areas with limited maintenance infrastructure.
Why does the An-24 have an auxiliary turbojet?
The RU-19A turbojet (1,765 lbf) installed on the An-24RV variant onward in the right rear engine nacelle does two things: (1) provides air pressure for starting the AI-24 turboprops without ground equipment, and (2) provides takeoff boost from hot / high / short airfields where the AI-24 turboprops alone are insufficient. The arrangement is unique to the An-24 family.
How many An-24s were built?
1,367 Soviet-built An-24s 1959-1979 at the Kiev plant + ~158 Chinese Xian Y-7 1985-2000s + continuing MA-60 / MA-700 production. Combined An-24 family production exceeds 1,800 airframes; Chinese Modern Ark MA-700 production continues through 2026.
What aircraft is the An-26?
The Antonov An-26 is the military cargo derivative of the An-24 — same wings, fuselage, and engines but with a rear cargo ramp and tail gunner position. About 1,403 An-26s were built 1969-1986; many remain in active military service worldwide.
Sources
See Also
- Antonov An-26 — Direct military cargo derivative
- Antonov An-30 — Aerial-survey derivative
- Antonov An-12 — Larger four-turboprop sister Antonov airlifter
- Antonov An-140 — Modern Antonov short-haul turboprop successor
- Ilyushin Il-18 — Soviet four-turboprop airliner contemporary