The Government of the Russian Federation has allocated more than RUB 3.3 billion (approx. USD 37 million) from the federal budget for the reconstruction of Smolensk-North Airfield and the modernization of utility infrastructure in the Smolensk region. This funding will be provided through a treasury infrastructure loan and federal subsidies, as outlined in the transcript of the Regional Development Government Commission meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin on July 17.
According to Vasily Anokhin, Governor of Smolensk Region, the total project budget is estimated at approximately RUB 8.6 billion (about USD 96 million). “Thanks to the President’s decision, Smolensk-North Airport has been transferred to regional ownership. A government contract for the airport’s design has already been signed with the federal State Unitary Enterprise ‘Aeroproject’. We expect the design phase to be completed and submitted to the Main State Expert Review Board (Glavgosexpertiza) by the end of this year,” Anokhin stated in an April interview with the online publication “O Chem Govorit Smolensk”.
In addition to federal funds totaling RUB 3.3 billion, the remaining financing will come from the regional budget and other sources, ensuring a comprehensive funding structure for the construction and modernization of Smolensk Airport’s infrastructure.
Governor Anokhin emphasized that the issue of reviving Smolensk Airport has been raised repeatedly, but previous development plans were deemed unviable due to low profitability, while neighboring regions expanded their air services. The main challenge was that relying solely on private investment for airport construction was considered economically unfeasible.
“In our case, public funds—primarily from the federal budget—will be invested in the design and construction. This approach reduces the costs that investors would need to recover through tariffs,” the governor explained.
Anokhin also noted that ticket sales alone never fully cover the operational costs of an airport. Therefore, the regional government plans to subsidize part of these expenses, similar to the existing support for suburban rail and intercity bus services. He stressed that such subsidies are standard practice in the transportation sector.
Construction and reconstruction activities are scheduled for 2026–2027. The immediate priorities are to complete the airport design, obtain approval from the State Expert Review Board, and commence construction, including the restoration of the runway, all aerodrome infrastructure, and the terminal building.
Once the project is completed, Smolensk Airport will have the capacity to handle approximately 200,000–250,000 passengers annually. The regional government plans to initiate routes to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi, Crimea, as well as to cities in the Volga, Ural, and Siberian regions.
The project is being implemented under a directive from President Vladimir Putin and forms part of the federal program to develop Russia’s core airport network. Its primary goal is to improve transport accessibility in the Smolensk region and support regional development.
The Russian Ministry of Transport and regional authorities underscore that the upgraded airport will serve as a key infrastructure asset, driving economic growth and enhancing the quality of life in the Smolensk region.
In April 2010, a tragic accident occurred near Smolensk-North Airport. A Polish government Tupolev Tu-154M crashed while carrying 96 people, including Polish President Lech Kaczyński, his wife, and several high-ranking government officials. The aircraft was en route from Warsaw to attend a ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre. All occupants perished in the crash.
The Interstate Aviation Committee’s investigation determined that the accident resulted from crew errors during the approach. The pilots attempted to land in severe weather conditions—dense fog and visibility far below established minima. The crew disregarded repeated system warnings of terrain proximity and failed to initiate a go-around, which led to a controlled flight into terrain. Investigators also noted that psychological pressure, due to the presence of high-ranking passengers in the cockpit, influenced the crew’s decision-making.
The final report, published in January 2011, confirmed that the crash was caused by pilot error and non-compliance with standard safety procedures. The aircraft lost control after striking trees and crashed in a wooded area near the runway. This tragedy stands as one of the most significant aviation disasters in Europe in recent decades, leaving a lasting impact on Poland and the international community.
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