The An-72 and An-74 get their nickname, Cheburashka, from the large engine intake ducts,[3] which resemble the oversized ears of the popular Soviet animated character of the same name.

[4] The aircraft's main purpose is to deliver cargo, equipment and personnel over short- and medium-range routes in any climatic conditions ranging from −60 to 45 °C (−76 to 113 °F) and at any latitude, including the North Pole, and high altitudes.

Produced in tandem with the An-72, the An-74 can be fitted with wheel-ski landing gear, de-icing equipment and a number of other upgrades allowing the aircraft to support operations in Arctic or Antarctic environments.

An unusual design feature of the An-74 (as well as An-72) is the use of the Coandă effect to improve STOL performance, utilizing engine exhaust gases blown over the wing's upper surface to boost lift.

Almost immediately after, cold-weather testing and Arctic operations began taking place, fulfilling the intentions of the aircraft designers.