Nikolsk Airport

The closure was a direct result of the widespread economic turmoil following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The centralized, state-subsidized model of regional aviation operated by Aeroflot's local directorates (in this case, the Vologda Air Enterprise) collapsed. Key factors included: soaring fuel prices, the high cost of maintaining an aging fleet (primarily Antonov An-2s), a sharp decline in the population's purchasing power, and the end of government subsidies that made such routes viable. There was no longer an economic basis to support regular flights to a small town like Nikolsk.

The airport is completely abandoned and in a state of decay. Satellite imagery of the location confirms the presence of a discernible but heavily overgrown and unusable grass/dirt runway. Any buildings that served as a terminal or for administration are derelict, ruined, or have been dismantled. The site is not maintained and has no aviation infrastructure remaining. The land is unused, though like many abandoned Soviet airfields, it may be informally used by local residents for recreation or driving.

During the Soviet era, Nikolsk Airport was a vital transportation link for the relatively remote Nikolsk District. As part of the USSR's 'Local Air Lines' (Местные воздушные линии - МВЛ) network, its primary function was to connect Nikolsk with the regional capital, Vologda. The airport predominantly handled scheduled passenger and mail flights using rugged Antonov An-2 biplanes, which were well-suited for its unpaved runway. It also played a crucial role in providing essential services such as sanitary aviation (air ambulance for medical emergencies) and agricultural aviation (crop dusting), making it a key piece of infrastructure for the region's connectivity and economy.

There are no official or credible plans to reopen Nikolsk Airport. The financial investment required to restore the runway, build a modern terminal, and install necessary navigation and safety equipment would be substantial. Given the small population of Nikolsk (under 8,000) and the improved, albeit long, road connections to Vologda, there is insufficient passenger or cargo demand to justify such an investment or sustain profitable operations. National and regional programs aimed at reviving aviation in Russia are focused on larger, more strategically important regional centers, making the reopening of small airfields like Nikolsk extremely unlikely in the foreseeable future.