RuAviation

The reconstruction of the first runway at Simferopol Airport has been completed. The facility underwent inspection by the Interregional Directorate of Rostekhnadzor for the Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol. Following this inspection, a certificate of compliance for the second phase of construction of the Simferopol Airport complex was issued, confirming adherence to the project requirements, as reported by the Crimean Directorate of Rostekhnadzor.

Rostekhnadzor confirmed that the construction works have been completed in full and that no deviations from the mandatory requirements were identified. Based on the positive certificate issued on 28 February 2025, the facility has been deemed compliant with the requirements outlined in Part 16 of Article 54 of the Town Planning Code of the Russian Federation, which constitutes the formal basis for commissioning the runway.

Runway one (RWY 1) at Simferopol Airport was originally constructed in 1960. In the early 2000s, it was decommissioned due to insufficient strength and length, and subsequently used as a taxiway to RWY 2. Construction work on the new RWY 1 commenced in August 2018.

The new runway has a concrete pavement with a crushed-stone base (1.4 m) and its length has been increased from 2,700 to 3,200 metres. The runway is equipped with modern airfield lighting, compliant with ICAO standards, and a radio navigation system providing precision navigation for aircraft.

Furthermore, as part of the project, an aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) station and surface runoff treatment facilities have been constructed. A main taxiway has been built along the entire length of the runway. It was previously reported that, following commissioning, the new RWY 1 will become the primary runway, with the existing RWY 2 serving as a backup.

The second runway, which has been in operation since 1982, has a non-standard length of 3,700 m, as it was originally designed as a backup for the landing of the Buran reusable space shuttle. The commissioning of the reconstructed runway will significantly increase Simferopol Airport’s throughput capacity and enhance its operational reliability.