Chоrnobil Heliport

Cessation of the acute phase of the Chernobyl disaster response. The heliport was a purpose-built or repurposed field established specifically for the emergency. Once the reactor fire was extinguished and the initial Sarcophagus was under construction, the need for thousands of daily helicopter flights ended. The site, equipment, and surrounding area were also heavily contaminated with radioactive fallout, making it unsuitable for any normal operations.

The heliport is not abandoned. It remains an active, but heavily restricted, operational site within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. It is maintained and used by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (DSNS) for essential missions such as aerial monitoring of the zone, radiation surveillance, and especially for firefighting, as forest fires can release and spread radioactive particles. It is also used to fly in official government delegations, international scientific teams, and for emergency medical purposes. The site is strictly closed to all public and commercial air traffic.

The Chornobil Heliport holds immense historical significance as the central airbase for helicopter operations during the 1986 Chernobyl disaster response. It was the logistical hub for the 'Chernobyl liquidators' who flew thousands of heroic but perilous missions. Key operations included:
1) Dropping over 5,000 metric tons of materials like sand, clay, lead, and boron onto the burning Reactor 4 to extinguish the graphite fire and absorb radiation.
2) Conducting aerial radiation reconnaissance to map contamination hotspots and guide cleanup efforts on the ground.
3) Transporting personnel, scientists, and officials into and out of the most hazardous areas of the newly-formed Exclusion Zone.
The heliport is a symbol of the immense human and technological effort to contain the world's worst nuclear disaster. The pilots and crews who operated from it are regarded as national heroes, many of whom suffered severe or fatal health consequences from extreme radiation exposure.

There are zero plans or prospects for reopening the heliport for public or commercial use. Its location within the highly-controlled Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and its specialized, non-commercial purpose make any form of public reopening unfeasible. It will continue to serve its current function as a special-purpose heliport for the administration, safety, and scientific monitoring of the Zone for the foreseeable future.