Elista International Airport will reopen for civil aviation flights on 3 May 2024 after a two-year suspension. The airport will operate daily from 9:00 to 19:00 (Moscow time). The capacity of the airport will be 12 take-offs and landings per hour. This was reported by the press service of the Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia).
The regime of temporary restriction of flights to airports in the southern and central parts of Russia was introduced for the safety of passenger air traffic on 24 February 2022 in connection with the start of a special military operation in Ukraine. In addition to the capital of Kalmykia, flights were temporarily restricted to airports in Anapa, Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Gelendzhik, Krasnodar, Kursk, Lipetsk, Rostov-on-Don and Simferopol.
“The entire airport infrastructure is in good condition. The safety of flights to Elista has been confirmed by specialists from the Ministry of Defence, Rosaviatsia and the State Corporation for Air Traffic Control. In September 2023 the overhaul of the airport passenger terminal with the area of 2130 square metres was completed. The terminal is equipped with modern check-in, control and baggage handling systems. Navigation for passengers in the building has been improved,” Rosaviatsia reported.
The agency added that as a result of the works at Elista airport a safe and comfortable environment has been created. The capacity of the renovated terminal has doubled to 100 passengers per hour. To support the airport during its temporary closure, the Russian government, through the Ministry of Transport, provided 134.6 million roubles in grants.
The opening of Elista Airport to civil aviation flights will improve mobility, economic development and tourism in the Republic of Kalmykia and contribute to the achievement of passenger traffic plans for 2024.
