Kystatyam Airport

Primarily economic reasons. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the centralized, state-subsidized funding for Aeroflot's vast network of small, unprofitable local airfields disappeared. The newly formed commercial airlines could not afford to maintain the infrastructure or operate flights to extremely remote and sparsely populated settlements like Kystatyam, leading to the route's and airfield's abandonment.

The airport is completely abandoned and defunct. Satellite imagery of the coordinates shows a faint, overgrown outline of a single unpaved runway. There is no remaining infrastructure such as a terminal, control tower, or hangars. The site is no longer used for any aviation purposes and the former runway is unusable without complete reconstruction. The land has largely reverted to natural tundra.

During the Soviet era, the Kystatyam airfield was a vital lifeline for the remote settlement. Located in the harsh climate of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), it provided the only reliable year-round connection to the district center, Zhigansk, and the regional capital, Yakutsk. Operations were typically handled by robust utility aircraft, most commonly the Antonov An-2 biplane and Mil Mi-8 helicopters. These flights were essential for transporting passengers, mail, medical personnel and supplies, and critical goods, playing a crucial role in the social and logistical support of the community.

There are no known official plans or credible prospects for reopening the Kystatyam airfield. While the Russian government has ongoing programs to restore and modernize some key regional airports in the Arctic and Far East, these efforts are focused on larger, more strategic district centers. Given the small population of Kystatyam and the prohibitive cost of rebuilding and operating an airfield, its reopening is considered highly unlikely. Transportation to the settlement currently relies on seasonal river transport, winter roads ('zimniks'), and occasional helicopter services for emergencies or special charters.