RuAviation

In 2025, Russia will launch a programme to redevelop six aerodromes, implemented through concession agreements with private investors. The total funding, including direct funding under the federal “Efficient Transport System” programme, amounts to RUB 23.3 billion (approximately £240 million based on current exchange rates). The airports targeted for modernisation are Chita, Stavropol, Kemerovo, Orenburg, Gorno-Altaisk, with a planned addition of Salekhard, according to reports from Interfax.

A total of 28 aerodromes are scheduled for refurbishment by 2030, leveraging private investment via concession agreements. Key players in this sector include major airport operators such as Novaport, Airports of Regions, and Aerodynamics. The funding model involves a differentiated approach, recommended by the Ministry of Economic Development, wherein co-funding from the federal budget ranges from 20% to 90% of the project cost. The co-funding percentage is directly related to the passenger throughput of each specific airport.

Between 2025 and 2027, the state plans to allocate over RUB 50.5 billion (approximately £520 million) to these projects. Concessionaires will recoup their investments through an infrastructure levy charged to airlines. Natalya Andrianova, Deputy Head of Rosaviatsia (Federal Air Transport Agency), stated that the necessary regulatory framework for this system will be finalised by June 2025. The infrastructure levy will be determined based on an analysis of market funding rates, ensuring the economic viability and attractiveness of the projects to investors.

In parallel with the concession projects, the government intends to carry out capital repairs to more than 50 smaller aerodromes by 2030. These works will be funded by increased air navigation charges levied on air carriers. According to Dmitry Yadrov, Head of Rosaviatsia, approximately RUB 2.6 billion had already been accumulated by the end of last year, with plans to collect around RUB 12.5 billion this year. Funds will be prioritised for aerodrome repairs in Cheboksary and Tilichiki in Kamchatka.

For one of the aerodromes slated for redevelopment, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) has approved new tariffs for airline services for the period up to 2030 – namely Stavropol Airport. According to the published order, charges for landing, aviation security, and aircraft fuelling have been significantly increased. For example, the landing charge for Russian airlines in 2025 will be RUB 1,352 per tonne of maximum take-off weight (MTOW), a 62% increase on previous rates. The tariff increases will also affect foreign operators, for whom new, higher charges have also been established.