Airports Across Southern Russia Set to Welcome Flights Again Pending Defense Ministry Nod

Russian civil aviation officials announced on Friday that all airports that were shut down following the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine are ready to reopen pending final approval from the Defense Ministry.

In February 2022, flights were halted at 11 airports in southern and central Russia due to safety concerns as President Vladimir Putin dispatched troops to Ukraine. Since then, three of these airports have returned to service.

Dmitry Yadrov, the head of Rosaviatsia, informed the state news agency TASS that the remaining eight airports are «prepared to resume operations,» although he noted that resumption is contingent upon the Defense Ministry’s approval.

«We maintain ongoing communication with the Defense Ministry,» Yadrov stated.

Transportation Minister Andrei Nikitin mentioned earlier this week that efforts are being made to restart airport operations as soon as federal security authorities grant the required permissions.

The Defense Ministry has not yet provided any comments regarding the potential resumption of air travel at the eight airports located in the Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk regions, as well as in the annexed Crimea.

Rosaviatsia has managed to keep staffing levels at approximately 90% of what they were before 2022 at ten southern airports and received 11 billion rubles (around $139 million) last year to help mitigate losses stemming from the closures.