Rostov-on-Don Airport

The airport was closed because it was replaced by the new, modern Platov International Airport. The primary reasons for the replacement were:
1. **Urban Encroachment:** The old airport was located within the city limits. This caused significant noise pollution for residents and severely restricted any potential for expansion or runway extension.
2. **Outdated Infrastructure:** The terminal and runway were aging and could not efficiently handle the growing passenger traffic or accommodate larger, modern wide-body aircraft required for long-haul international flights.
3. **Strategic Development:** The construction of the new Platov Airport was a major infrastructure project for the region, partly driven by the need for a modern gateway for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which was hosted in Russia.

The site is undergoing a massive urban redevelopment. The aviation infrastructure, including the runways, taxiways, and aprons, has been completely dismantled. The land is being transformed into a new large residential district, which will include apartment buildings, schools, kindergartens, parks, and commercial spaces. The former airport terminal building, after some public debate about its preservation, was demolished between February and April 2024 to make way for the new construction.

Opened in 1925, this airport was the primary air gateway to Rostov-on-Don and the entire North Caucasus region for over 90 years. Its historical ICAO code was URRR and its IATA code was ROV. It was a major hub for both domestic and international flights, handling millions of passengers annually. The airport was a key base for several airlines throughout its history, most notably Donavia (a former subsidiary of Aeroflot) and, later, Azimuth. It played a critical role in the economic and social development of Southern Russia for nearly a century.

There are zero prospects for reopening this airport. The physical infrastructure has been permanently removed, and the land has been irrevocably repurposed for large-scale urban development. All regional and international air traffic is now handled exclusively by the new Platov International Airport, located approximately 30 km northeast of the city.