Former Tutonchany Airport

The primary reason for closure was economic. Following the dissolution of the USSR, the centralized funding for regional and local aviation (Местные воздушные линии - MVL) disappeared. The new regional airlines that emerged from the breakup of Aeroflot found these remote, low-traffic routes to be unprofitable. The decline in the local population and economic activity in Tutonchany further reduced demand, making the airport's maintenance and operation financially unsustainable.

The airport site is completely abandoned and defunct. Satellite imagery shows the faint outline of a single, unpaved runway which is now heavily overgrown with grass and shrubs. There are no visible signs of any remaining airport infrastructure such as buildings, hangars, or navigation equipment. The land has been reclaimed by nature and is not used for any other purpose.

During the Soviet era, Tutonchany Airport was a vital transportation link for the remote village of Tutonchany, located on the Nizhnyaya Tunguska River. It was a typical small, unpaved airfield crucial for connecting isolated communities in Siberia. The airport handled essential passenger traffic, mail, medical supplies, and cargo. Operations were primarily conducted using rugged and versatile aircraft suited for unprepared airstrips, such as the Antonov An-2 biplane and Mil Mi-8 helicopters. These flights connected Tutonchany to regional centers like Tura or Vanavara, providing the only year-round access when river transport was impossible due to ice.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the Former Tutonchany Airport. The small population of the village and the high cost of rebuilding and operating an airfield make it economically unviable. Modern transportation needs for the community are met through seasonal river transport, winter roads (zimniks), and occasional helicopter charters for emergencies or special purposes, which can land in a cleared area without requiring a dedicated airport.