Oryol Severny Airport

The closure was a result of multiple factors, primarily the disbandment of the military aviation unit that was its main user. This was compounded by the general economic decline following the collapse of the Soviet Union, which made regional air transport economically unviable. The airport's infrastructure was aging and required significant investment for modernization, which was not available. The focus for any potential future air service in the region shifted to the other, larger airport, Oryol Yuzhny.

The airport is abandoned and in a state of severe decay. Satellite imagery and local reports confirm that the runway, taxiways, and aprons are crumbling and overgrown with vegetation. The airport buildings, including the terminal and hangars, are derelict and have been vandalized or have fallen into ruin. The site is not maintained and is inaccessible for any aviation purposes. It is effectively a brownfield site.

Oryol Severny was primarily a military airbase with a secondary civilian function. Its main historical role was serving the Soviet Air Forces and later the Russian Air Force. It was home to the 472nd Fighter Aviation Regiment, which operated aircraft such as the MiG-23. After the fighter regiment was disbanded, the airfield housed a separate mixed aviation squadron equipped with transport aircraft (An-24, An-26, An-72) and helicopters (Mi-8). In addition to its military role, the airport handled some regional passenger flights and served general aviation needs, including agricultural and medical flights, for the Oryol Oblast.

There are no known official plans or prospects for reopening Oryol Severny Airport. All regional and federal government efforts and funding for restoring air service to the Oryol region are concentrated on the reconstruction of the main airport, Oryol Yuzhny (Southern). Given the advanced state of decay at Severny and the significant investment being directed towards Yuzhny, the revival of Oryol Severny is considered highly improbable.