Photo: Maxim Zakharov Smolensk
On Monday, May 1, the first of three Yak-40s landed at Yuzhny airfield. The restoration of civil aviation in the capital of the Smolensk region is a private initiative.
Until today, Yuzhny received a similar aircraft in 1993, and in the early 2000s the airport was completely decommissioned. The proposal to relaunch it was made by the regional authorities in 2008, but real progress has only now taken place.
Yak-40 arrived in Smolensk from Vnukovo, the flight lasted only 50 minutes. The previous owner of the plane is Vologda Airlines. The device was used until the last moment, but before arriving in Area 67, it was inventoried. As crew members told the SmolNarod publication, the plane will serve the residents of Smolensk “for another 50 years.”
Smolensk Airlines chief Yan Vishnevsky said that a total of three such planes will be based in Smolensk: one business class, designed for 10 passengers, and two others for 36 seats. Charter flights will be operated weekly from Friday to Sunday. The main direction is St. Petersburg.
According to Vishnevsky, in the future there are plans to turn the airfield into a full-fledged airport. It will not require huge investments – all the necessary infrastructure, including the terminal, is there, only repairs are needed.
“Here, 100% private money, we don’t ask the state for anything – only administrative support,” said the director of Smolensk Airlines.
Today, work is underway to attract other airlines to Smolensk. According to Vishnevsky, this will make it possible to launch air communication not only with St. Petersburg, but also with southern cities.
It is highly likely that the airport will start serving the population as early as 2023. Vishnevsky estimates the time frame at “six months to a year”. Until that time, it is necessary to put Yuzhny in order and find qualified employees. The estimated number of vacancies is 55.
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