Baley Airport

Primarily economic reasons. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the system of centralized state subsidies for regional air transport was dismantled. The local airline operations became economically unviable without government support. This was compounded by the decline of the local gold mining industry ('Baleizoloto'), which was the primary economic driver for the town and the main source of passenger and cargo demand for the airport.

The airport is completely abandoned and in a state of dereliction. Satellite imagery and ground reports show a decaying runway that is cracked, weathered, and partially overgrown with grass and shrubs. The former terminal building and any associated infrastructure are either in ruins or have been dismantled. The site is not used for any aviation purposes and is inaccessible for aircraft.

During the Soviet era, Baley Airport was a vital transportation link for the remote gold mining town of Baley. It was an integral part of the regional air network, providing essential services for the local population and the mining industry. Operations primarily consisted of:
- Passenger flights connecting Baley with the regional capital, Chita, and other settlements in Zabaykalsky Krai.
- Cargo and mail transport.
- Air ambulance services ('sanitary aviation') for medical emergencies.
- Logistical support for the 'Baleizoloto' gold mining enterprise.
The airport predominantly handled small propeller aircraft, with the Antonov An-2 being the workhorse for these routes.

There are no concrete or funded plans to reopen Baley Airport. However, the topic of reviving small regional airports is part of broader, long-term development strategies for Russia's Far East and Zabaykalsky Krai to improve transport connectivity. Baley has been occasionally mentioned in lists of potential airfields for future reconstruction under federal programs. These prospects are currently speculative and contingent on significant government investment and a resurgence in local economic activity, neither of which is imminent.