Gelendzhik Airport Set for Opening, Announces Transport Ministry
After more than two years of closure due to the conflict in Ukraine, Gelendzhik Airport in southern Russia reopened on July 9, 2025. The airport will resume commercial operations with domestic flights commencing on July 18, operated by Aeroflot twice daily from Moscow Sheremetyevo.
The reopening of Gelendzhik Airport marks a significant milestone in the region, although the resumption of international flights remains uncertain. The decision to reopen Gelendzhik Airport is indicative of some easing of restrictions in the region, but the ongoing security concerns and limitations to international flights remain challenges. Ukrainian airspace remains closed due to the ongoing conflict.
The closure of Gelendzhik Airport in February 2022 was one of 11 airports in southern Russia that were shut down for safety reasons. Apart from Gelendzhik, the closed airports in the region include Anapa, Krasnodar, Rostov-on-Don, Simferopol, Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Lipetsk, Voronezh, and Elista. Since then, only one airport - in Elista - has reopened, having resumed operations last May.
The safety of flights at the Gelendzhik Airport has been confirmed by Rosaviatsiya and the State Corporation for Air Traffic Management. For now, flights will only be operated during daylight hours. The RBC news agency has announced that it will start selling tickets once a notice is issued.
The resumption of operations at Gelendzhik Airport is an important decision for Krasnodar Krai, according to its Governor, Veniamin Kondratyev. He has thanked the decision, expressing optimism for the region's return to normalcy.
Meanwhile, discussions regarding the readiness of the Simferopol Airport for possible resumption of operations are ongoing. The head of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, has expressed his readiness to immediately open the airport upon receiving the corresponding order from President Vladimir Putin. The safety of flights at the Simferopol Airport is currently under discussion.
The reopening of Gelendzhik Airport is a positive step towards restoring normal operations in the region, but the ongoing security concerns and restrictions on international flights remain significant challenges. As more information becomes available, updates on the status of other closed airports in southern Russia and the potential resumption of international flights at Gelendzhik Airport will be closely monitored.
The reopening of Gelendzhik Airport could potentially boost the local economy, particularly in the sectors of finance and transportation. However, the decisions regarding the resumption of international flights and the readiness of other closed airports in southern Russia, such as Simferopol, are still uncertain and remain as significant challenges.
