Olenitsa Airfield

Primarily economic reasons. After the fall of the Soviet Union, state subsidies for unprofitable but socially vital local air routes were eliminated. The regional Aeroflot divisions that operated these services were broken up or privatized, and the cost of fuel and maintenance for the aging Antonov An-2 fleet became prohibitive. With the decline of state-supported regional aviation, small, remote airstrips like Olenitsa became obsolete and were abandoned.

The site is abandoned and disused. Satellite imagery clearly shows the remnants of a single, unpaved runway (approximately 550 meters long) which is now significantly overgrown with grass and shrubs. There are no remaining airport infrastructure, buildings, or markings. The area is not actively used for any other purpose and simply exists as a visible scar on the landscape, a relic of a past era of Soviet transportation.

Olenitsa Airfield was a vital local airstrip (known in Russian as a 'posadochnaya ploshchadka' or landing site) serving the remote Pomor village of Olenitsa on the Tersky Coast of the Kola Peninsula. Its primary role was as part of the Soviet local air service network (Местные воздушные линии - MVL). It provided an essential lifeline connecting the isolated community to regional centers like Umba and Kandalaksha. Operations were typically handled by rugged Antonov An-2 biplanes, which transported passengers, mail, medical supplies, and essential goods. For decades, this airstrip was the most reliable, and sometimes only, means of transportation, especially during harsh winters or the spring thaw when roads were impassable.

There are no known official plans or prospects for reopening Olenitsa Airfield. The village's population has declined, and some ground transportation links, while still challenging, have been established. The economic case for re-establishing a certified airfield for such a small community is non-existent. Reopening would require significant investment in runway refurbishment, facilities, and air traffic services, which is not considered a priority. Therefore, the prospect of it ever returning to service as an active airfield is highly unlikely.