Flights momentarily halted at Gelendzhik Airport
Gelendzhik Airport, a crucial hub for the Krasnodar region's tourism and regional travel, reopened its doors to civil traffic on July 10, 2025. The airport's reopening marks an important development following its closure since early 2022, due to airspace restrictions imposed following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine [1][2][3].
The first commercial flight post-reopening arrived from Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport, signifying the significance of restoring air connectivity. The flight was met with a ceremonial water salute and an official welcome, reflecting the importance of the moment [1].
Gelendzhik Airport is the second regional airport in Russia to resume service since the 2022 shutdowns, following Elista Airport in the Republic of Kalmykia. However, many other airports affected by airspace restrictions or closures during the conflict remain closed or limited in operations [1].
The Ministry of Transportation has allowed Gelendzhik's reopening specifically for daytime flights, indicating a cautious phased approach to resuming services [1]. Operations at Gelendzhik Airport will be conducted from 08:30 to 20:00 Moscow time.
On July 18, a flight departed from Moscow to Gelendzhik Airport, marking the first flight since February 2022. This flight was operated by Aeroflot on an Airbus A321 aircraft [1].
The resumption of operations at Gelendzhik Airport is a rare case among regional airports impacted since 2022. Other airports, such as Anapa, Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Krasnodar, Kursk, Lipetsk, Rostov-on-Don, and Simferopol, continue to remain closed or limited. The Ministry of Transportation has not yet provided information regarding the resumption of operations for these airports or the current status of the airport in Simferopol [1].
By the end of the first half of 2025, Elista Airport, which resumed operations in May 2024, had served approximately 29,000 passengers and 324 flights [1].
As Gelendzhik Airport resumes operations, it brings hope for the revival of tourism and regional travel in the Krasnodar region. The cautious approach to resuming services underscores the ongoing challenges posed by the conflict and the importance of ensuring safety and security for all passengers.
[1] Various sources, July 2025.
The resumption of daytime flights at Gelendzhik Airport marks a slow return to normalcy in Russia's aviation industry, following months of disruptions due to airspace restrictions. As neighboring Anapa Airport remains closed, Gelendzhik's reopening may have significant implications for the regional transportation sector and the Krasnodar region's finance industry, which rely heavily on tourism.
