Tolyatti Airport

The closure was a result of severe economic decline following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Key factors included: a drastic reduction in passenger traffic, the financial non-viability of regional aviation in the 1990s, and direct competition from the much larger and better-equipped Kurumoch International Airport (KUF) located just 60 km away, which absorbed all remaining air traffic for the region.

The airport is completely abandoned and derelict. The runway, taxiways, and apron are still intact but are cracked, overgrown with weeds, and unsuitable for aviation. The terminal building and other structures are in a state of ruin. Due to its large, flat, and isolated nature, the site is popularly used for unsanctioned and organized events, including drag racing, drifting competitions, car shows, and driver training.

Opened in the mid-1970s, Tolyatti Airport was built to serve the rapidly growing city and, most importantly, the giant VAZ (now AvtoVAZ) automotive plant. It was a crucial piece of infrastructure for the Soviet auto industry, facilitating business travel for engineers, managers, and government officials to and from the Lada car factory. The airport primarily handled regional flights on short-to-medium haul routes, operating aircraft typical for that era, such as the Yakovlev Yak-40, Antonov An-24, and Let L-410 Turbolet.

There are no realistic prospects for reopening the airport. Over the years, various local politicians and business groups have floated the idea of revival, but these proposals have never progressed due to the prohibitive costs of rebuilding the infrastructure to modern standards and the lack of economic justification. The proximity to Kurumoch International Airport remains the biggest obstacle. Current official plans are focused on redeveloping the land for industrial use as part of the 'Togliatti' Special Economic Zone, effectively ending any possibility of a return to aviation.