Sakaldy Dubar Airport

The closure was due to economic reasons and systemic changes. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the centralized funding and state-run structure (Aeroflot) that supported this vast network of local airstrips disappeared. The transition to a market economy, the decline of state-sponsored collective farms that used agricultural aviation, and the rise of more cost-effective road transport for short distances made the airfield economically unviable and operationally obsolete.

The site is completely abandoned and non-operational. Satellite imagery confirms the existence of a single paved runway, approximately 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) long, which is still clearly visible. However, the runway is in a state of disuse, with faded markings and no supporting infrastructure such as a terminal, hangars, or control tower. The surrounding area is composed of agricultural fields, and the airstrip itself is unused for any aviation purposes.

During its operational years in the Soviet era, Sakaldy Dubar was a typical local utility airstrip. Its primary function was to support the local community and agricultural economy. Operations would have consisted mainly of:
1. **Regional Transport:** Flights using small aircraft, most notably the Antonov An-2, to connect the Sakaldy area with regional hubs like Jalal-Abad and Osh for passenger and light cargo transport.
2. **Agricultural Aviation:** Extensive use for crop dusting and aerial application of fertilizers for the surrounding collective farms (kolkhoz), which was a critical component of Soviet agriculture.
It was an integral part of the local infrastructure, connecting a rural area to the wider region before the road network was as developed.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the Sakaldy Dubar airstrip. The current and future aviation needs of the Jalal-Abad Region are served by the nearby Jalal-Abad Airport (ICAO: UAFJ, IATA: JBD). The significant investment required to rebuild the infrastructure, repave the runway, and certify the airstrip to modern safety standards is not justified by any current economic or transport demand. The site is expected to remain abandoned.