Velikiye Luki Airport

Primarily economic reasons following the dissolution of the USSR. The collapse of the centralized Soviet economy led to the end of state subsidies that kept regional aviation afloat. This resulted in a sharp decline in passenger demand, the inability of new, smaller airlines to operate unprofitable routes, and a lack of funds for maintaining and upgrading the airport's aging infrastructure.

The airport is abandoned and in a state of disrepair. Satellite imagery shows a clearly defined but decaying asphalt runway, taxiways, and apron. The runway surface is cracked and overgrown with vegetation, rendering it unusable for conventional aircraft. The former terminal building and other airport structures are derelict. The site is not officially used for any purpose and is effectively a brownfield site, occasionally visited by locals or used for informal activities like car drifting or drone flying.

During the Soviet era, Velikiye Luki Airport was a vital regional transportation link. It connected the city of Velikiye Luki with major regional centers like Pskov, Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), and potentially Moscow. The airport primarily handled short-haul passenger flights operated by Aeroflot's regional divisions. The fleet typically consisted of small turboprop and piston aircraft suitable for short runways, such as the Antonov An-2, Let L-410 Turbolet, and possibly the Yakovlev Yak-40. In addition to passenger services, it supported general aviation functions, including air ambulance (sanaviatsiya), mail delivery, and agricultural flights, playing a crucial role in the region's connectivity.

There have been periodic discussions and proposals by the Pskov Oblast regional government to reconstruct and reopen the airport. These plans are typically part of broader federal initiatives aimed at reviving regional aviation across Russia to stimulate economic growth and tourism. Velikiye Luki is often mentioned as a candidate for revival. However, as of late 2023, these discussions have not progressed to a concrete, funded project with a definite timeline. The reopening is entirely dependent on securing significant federal investment, and its prospects remain uncertain, especially given shifting economic and political priorities.