Ponoy Airfield

Economic reasons. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the centralized state funding for heavily subsidized local air routes was eliminated. The new, smaller airlines that replaced the regional Aeroflot divisions could not afford to operate unprofitable routes to remote, sparsely populated villages like Ponoy. This led to the widespread closure of small local airfields across Russia's north.

The airfield is no longer a public facility but is actively maintained and used as a private airstrip. Its current use is almost exclusively tied to the high-end tourism industry centered around Atlantic salmon fishing on the Ponoy River. The Ponoy River Company (PRC), which runs several exclusive fishing camps, uses the airfield for logistical support, charter flights for guests and staff, and as a base for Mi-8 helicopter operations that ferry anglers to different locations along the river. The runway, though unpaved (gravel/dirt), is kept in a usable condition for STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft.

During the Soviet era, Ponoy Airfield was a vital transportation link for the remote village of Ponoy, located on the Kola Peninsula. It was part of the extensive network of local air routes (Местные воздушные линии - МВЛ) operated by Aeroflot. The airfield primarily handled small, robust aircraft, most notably the Antonov An-2 biplane. These flights were the main source of transportation for residents, delivering mail, medicine, essential supplies, and providing a connection to regional centers like Lovozero and Murmansk.

There are no known official plans or realistic prospects for reopening Ponoy Airfield as a public airport with scheduled commercial service. The local permanent population is too small to make such services economically viable. Its future and continued maintenance are entirely dependent on the private fishing lodges that operate in the area. It is expected to remain a private-use airstrip dedicated to serving the local tourism industry.