Krasnogorye Airfield

Primarily economic reasons. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the extensive state-subsidized network of local air services (MVL - Local Air Lines) collapsed. The transition to a market economy, coupled with hyperinflation and soaring fuel costs, made short-haul flights to small communities like Pyshchug (which the airfield served) financially unsustainable. Passenger demand plummeted as ticket prices became unaffordable, leading to the closure of the airfield along with hundreds of similar small airports across Russia.

The airfield is completely abandoned and defunct. Satellite imagery of the coordinates reveals a clearly defined but derelict runway that is heavily overgrown with grass and shrubs. The asphalt or concrete surface is severely degraded. Any associated infrastructure, such as the small terminal building and service sheds, are in a state of ruin. The site is not used for any formal purpose and is slowly being reclaimed by the surrounding forest. There is no aviation activity.

The airfield, more commonly known as Pyshchug Airfield (Аэропорт Пыщуг), was a typical Soviet-era local airport. Its primary function was to connect the remote Pyshchugsky District with the regional capital, Kostroma. During its active years, it was an essential transportation hub for the region, handling passenger flights, mail delivery, and cargo transport. Operations were mainly conducted by the Kostroma United Air Detachment of Aeroflot, using rugged Antonov An-2 biplanes, which were the workhorses of Soviet local aviation. These flights were vital for ensuring year-round connectivity, especially during seasons when road travel was difficult.

There are no known or credible plans to reopen the Krasnogorye/Pyshchug airfield. The infrastructure would require a complete and costly reconstruction, for which there is no economic justification. The local population is small, and road connections to the regional center have improved since the 1990s. The revival of regional aviation in Russia is focused on larger, more strategically important airports. The prospects for reopening this specific site are effectively zero.