Kovdor Airfield

The closure was primarily due to economic reasons. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, state subsidies for regional aviation were eliminated. The airfield's main operator and beneficiary, the Kovdorsky GOK (a major mining and processing plant), found it economically unviable to maintain and operate an entire airfield for its limited utility and transport needs. The development and improvement of road and rail infrastructure in the Murmansk Oblast also diminished the airfield's critical importance.

The site is completely abandoned and in a state of decay. Satellite imagery and ground reports confirm that the unpaved runway is heavily overgrown with grass and shrubs, making it unusable for any aircraft. The few small buildings on the site are derelict. There is no infrastructure, equipment, or personnel present. The area is effectively a brownfield site and may be used informally by locals for recreation.

Kovdor Airfield was a crucial piece of infrastructure for the remote, single-industry town of Kovdor. Its primary purpose was to serve the Kovdorsky GOK. Operations were not for scheduled passenger traffic but for utilitarian purposes, including:
- Transporting engineers, geologists, and other specialized personnel.
- Medical evacuations (sanitary aviation or 'sanaviatsiya').
- Delivering urgent cargo and spare parts to the mine and remote exploration sites.
- Aerial surveys for geological exploration and monitoring.
- Supporting forestry services and fire patrols in the surrounding taiga.
The airfield typically handled rugged, STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) utility aircraft like the Antonov An-2 biplane and helicopters, most notably the Mil Mi-8.

There are no known official plans or credible prospects for reopening Kovdor Airfield. The economic case for its restoration is extremely weak. The town has reliable road and rail connections for personnel and cargo. The high cost of rebuilding the runway, constructing a modern terminal, and installing navigation and safety equipment to meet current aviation standards would be prohibitive given the lack of demand. Any specialized aviation needs for the Kovdorsky GOK are more efficiently met by using helicopters, which can operate from smaller, less expensive helipads.