Voyampolka Airfield

The primary reason for closure was economic. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, state funding for regional airfields and airlines ceased. The small population of Voyampolka could not commercially support the maintenance and operational costs of a fixed-wing airfield. The service became economically unviable, leading to its abandonment and subsequent decay.

The airfield is completely abandoned and in a state of disrepair. Satellite imagery of the coordinates (58.299542, 159.390621) shows the former unpaved runway is heavily overgrown with vegetation and is no longer distinguishable or usable for aviation. Any associated infrastructure, such as a small terminal or shed, has likely decayed or been removed. The site is not used for any formal purpose. The village of Voyampolka is now primarily served by helicopter transport for passengers and essential cargo, which can land in designated clearings and does not require a fixed runway.

During the Soviet era, Voyampolka Airfield was a vital lifeline for the remote village and surrounding areas in the Tigilsky District of Kamchatka Krai. It was an integral part of the local transportation network in a region with limited road access. The airfield handled essential services including passenger transport, mail delivery, cargo (food, medicine, supplies), and medical evacuations. Operations were typically conducted using rugged, short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) aircraft, most notably the Antonov An-2 biplane, connecting Voyampolka to regional hubs like Tigil and Palana.

There are no known official plans or realistic prospects for reopening Voyampolka Airfield. The significant cost required to restore the runway and build modern infrastructure is prohibitive given the small local population. The current model of using subsidized helicopter flights is considered a more flexible and economically viable solution for connecting such remote settlements in Kamchatka. Therefore, the revival of the airfield is extremely unlikely.