Bērze Airstrip

Economic reasons and systemic change following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The airstrip was built to serve the Soviet collective farm (kolkhoz) system. With the restoration of Latvia's independence in 1991 and the subsequent dissolution of these collective farms, the model of state-sponsored agricultural aviation it supported became obsolete. There was no longer an economic or operational need for a dedicated chemical/agricultural airstrip in this location, leading to its abandonment.

The site is now private property and is no longer used for aviation. The well-preserved 400-meter asphalt runway and adjacent land have been integrated into an industrial complex. The primary user is SIA 'GRANDEG', a major Latvian manufacturer of wood pellet boilers and heating equipment, whose factory is located on the site. The former runway is used for industrial purposes, such as vehicle movements, equipment testing, and open-air storage. Due to its smooth, paved surface, it is also occasionally used for local, informal events like driver training and amateur motorsport (drag racing).

Bērze Airstrip was a classic example of a Soviet-era agricultural airfield, known locally as a 'ķīmijas lidlauks' (chemical airfield) or 'khim-aerodrom'. Its sole purpose was to support the large, local 'Nākotne' ('Future') kolkhoz. Operations primarily consisted of agricultural aviation tasks, including crop dusting, seeding, and the application of fertilizers. The workhorse aircraft for these missions was typically the rugged and versatile Antonov An-2 biplane. These small, paved airstrips were a vital component of the USSR's intensive agricultural infrastructure, enabling rapid and widespread treatment of vast farmlands.

There are no known plans or realistic prospects for reopening Bērze Airstrip for any form of aviation. The site is fully repurposed and integrated into a private industrial facility. The cost of acquiring the land, removing industrial obstacles, and re-certifying the airstrip to modern aviation standards would be prohibitive. Furthermore, there is no demonstrated demand for a new general aviation airfield in this specific location that would justify such an investment.