Smolensk-northern

History

2025: Raising ₽3,3 billion for construction

The federal government will send an infrastructure loan in the amount of over ₽3,3 billion for the construction of an airport in the Smolensk region. The project is planned for the period from 2026 to 2028 on behalf of President Vladimir Putin. Governor Vasily Anokhin announced this on his Telegram channel on July 17, 2025.

According to TASS, the decision on financing was announced at a meeting of the headquarters of the Government Commission for Regional Development in Russia. The event was held by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin. Vasily Anokhin stressed that the region received confirmation of federal support for the implementation of a significant infrastructure facility.

The head of the Smolensk region noted that the total amount of subsidies will exceed ₽3,3 billion. The funds will be provided within the framework of the infrastructure lending mechanism, which will ensure the financing of construction work throughout the entire period of the project.

The construction of the airport will significantly increase the level of development of the Smolensk region. Vasily Anokhin pointed out that the new aviation hub will improve the tourist attractiveness of the region and create additional incentives for the development of business activity. The emergence of a modern airport will open up new opportunities for the economic growth of the territory.

The Governor expressed gratitude to Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, the federal government and the Territorial Development Fund for their support in implementing the strategically important project. Vasily Anokhin emphasized the importance of this initiative for the long-term development of the region.

Architectural solutions of the future airport complex were presented at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum to the head of the Federal Air Transport Agency Dmitry Yadrov. The concept provides for the integration of the terminal building with the premises of technical services, which will optimize costs during the implementation of the project.^[1]

2024: Preparation for construction

In October 2024, a tender for the construction of the Smolensk-Severny civil airport worth ₽7,7 billion was published. The project is being implemented in accordance with the instructions of the president, Russia Vladimir Putin based on the results of a meeting on socio-economic development of the Smolensk region in September 2023.

According to Readovka67, the new B-class airport will be able to receive aircraft weighing up to 70 tons, including TU-134 and Superjet-100 aircraft. The facility will serve internal air lines.

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Фото: Freepik

The Governor of the Smolensk Region Vasily Anokhin confirmed that the project received support from the Russian Ministry of Transport. At a meeting with Transport Minister Roman Starovoit, a plan for a large-scale reconstruction of the airfield to launch civilian flights was discussed.

The project provides for the restoration of the runway, the arrangement of parking lots for aircraft, including an isolated site for aircraft with potentially dangerous goods, as well as the installation of modern safety systems. The central element of the complex will be the new terminal building.

The development of design documentation is estimated at ₽350 million. The work schedule provides for the preparation of the project and working documentation until October 27, 2025, and the creation of the terminal project until April 26, 2026. Major construction work is planned for 2026-2027.

The choice of the Smolensk-Severny site is due to technical advantages over an alternative option - the Yuzhny airfield in Tikhvinka. A significant factor was the ability to receive heavier aircraft. In addition, active high-rise construction in the Industrial District of the city could create obstacles to the movement of aircraft.

Financing of the project is planned to be carried out within the framework of the "infrastructure menu" with the involvement of private investment. The implementation of the project is designed to stimulate the development of tourist flow to the region and increase its investment attractiveness.^[2]

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