Bagdarin Airport

Primarily economic reasons following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The centralized, state-subsidized Aeroflot system, which operated local air services (known as MVL - Mestnye Vozdushnye Linii), was broken up. The resulting smaller airlines could not afford to operate unprofitable routes to remote and sparsely populated areas like Bagdarin without state support, leading to the abandonment of the airport.

The airport is currently abandoned and non-operational. Satellite imagery of the location shows a clearly visible but unmaintained dirt/gravel runway. The former terminal and service buildings, if any remain, are in a state of disrepair. The site is not used for any official purpose, and the infrastructure has decayed significantly over decades of neglect.

During the Soviet era, Bagdarin Airport was a vital transportation hub and a lifeline for the vast and remote Bauntovsky Evenkiysky District of the Buryat ASSR. Given the challenging terrain and limited road infrastructure, particularly during winter and the spring thaw, the airport was crucial for connecting the region. It handled regular passenger flights, typically to the regional capital Ulan-Ude, using small aircraft like the Antonov An-2 and Let L-410. Beyond passenger transport, it was essential for mail delivery, cargo shipments of essential goods and medicine, and critical air ambulance/medical evacuation services (known as 'sanaviatsiya').

There are significant and active plans for the airport's revival. Bagdarin has been included in the Russian federal program for the modernization and development of regional airports, particularly in the Far East. Since around 2020, officials from the Republic of Buryatia have repeatedly announced plans to reconstruct the airfield. The project includes rebuilding the runway and constructing a new, small modular terminal building. The goal is to restore air service to improve the quality of life, provide reliable transport, and support economic development in the remote district. While it is a confirmed project within the national strategy, the exact timeline for the commencement and completion of construction remains subject to federal funding allocation and logistical planning.