Myskhako Airport

The primary reason for closure was economic. With the collapse of the USSR, the state-subsidized system of local air travel (Местные воздушные линии - MVL) became financially unsustainable. A sharp increase in fuel costs, a dramatic drop in passenger demand, and the overall economic turmoil of the period made small regional airports like Myskhako unviable. Additionally, the notoriously strong 'Bora' winds in Novorossiysk made flight operations inherently challenging and limited the potential for upgrading the airport to handle larger aircraft.

The airport is completely defunct and abandoned. The site has been partially redeveloped and reclaimed. Satellite imagery shows the former runway is severely degraded, overgrown, and bisected by new roads and construction. The area is now occupied by a mix of commercial warehouses, light industrial buildings, and is undergoing residential development. There are no remaining aviation facilities, and the land has been fully repurposed.

Myskhako Airport was the main air gateway for the city of Novorossiysk during the Soviet era. It primarily handled local and regional passenger and cargo flights. Operations included:
- **Passenger Transport:** Regular flights on small aircraft, most notably the Antonov An-2, connecting Novorossiysk with other cities in the Krasnodar Krai such as Krasnodar, Gelendzhik, and Anapa.
- **Agricultural Aviation:** The airport was a base for agricultural aircraft (e.g., An-2 'Kukuruznik') used for crop dusting and other agricultural tasks in the surrounding region, which is known for its vineyards.
- **DOSAAF Operations:** It was used by the DOSAAF (Volunteer Society for Cooperation with the Army, Aviation, and Navy), a Soviet paramilitary sports organization, for flight training and parachuting.
The airport is located adjacent to the 'Malaya Zemlya' (Little Land) memorial complex, a site of a major World War II battle, adding to the historical significance of the area.

There are zero prospects for reopening Myskhako Airport. The land has been sold and is actively being developed for urban use. Furthermore, the challenging meteorological conditions (Bora winds) make the location unsuitable for a modern airport. The air travel needs of Novorossiysk are adequately served by the nearby international airports in Anapa (Vityazevo Airport, AAQ) and Gelendzhik (GDZ), both of which are located in more geographically sheltered areas.