Osh East / Eski Airport

The primary reason for closure was replacement and technological obsolescence. The old airport's runway was too short and its facilities were inadequate to handle the new generation of larger, heavier Soviet jet airliners like the Tupolev Tu-104, Tu-134, and Tu-154 that were entering service. A new, modern airport was constructed a few kilometers to the north with a longer runway and better infrastructure to meet the growing demand for air travel. Following the transfer of civilian operations, the site was repurposed for military and paramilitary use.

The site is currently an active military installation belonging to the Ministry of Defense of the Kyrgyz Republic. It is reportedly the base for the 25th Special Forces Brigade 'Scorpion'. The original runway and airfield layout are still clearly visible from satellite imagery, but the pavement is severely degraded and not maintained for aviation purposes. The area is used as a military base, training ground, and for vehicle depots. The surrounding land has experienced significant urban and industrial encroachment over the decades.

Osh East, known locally as 'Eski Aeroport' (Old Airport), was the original airport serving the city of Osh and the surrounding Fergana Valley region during the mid-20th century Soviet period. It was a key regional hub for the Kirghiz SSR's civil aviation fleet. Operations primarily consisted of regional passenger and cargo flights using propeller-driven aircraft common in that era, such as the Antonov An-2, Lisunov Li-2 (a Soviet DC-3 variant), Ilyushin Il-14, and Yakovlev Yak-12. After its closure to major civilian flights, it continued to be used by DOSAAF (the Soviet paramilitary sports organization) for pilot training and parachuting, as well as by the Soviet Air Force as a military aerodrome.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the airport. Its reactivation is considered highly unfeasible for several reasons:
1. **Active Military Use:** The site is a strategic military base.
2. **Proximity to a Modern Airport:** The city is well-served by the nearby Osh International Airport (UAFO/OSS).
3. **Inadequate Infrastructure:** The runway and facilities would require a complete and costly reconstruction to meet modern safety standards.
4. **Urban Encroachment:** The airport is now surrounded by urban development, which would create significant safety and noise issues.