In recent years, Siberia has witnessed a dramatic transformation of its airport infrastructure, while the Irkutsk airport seems to lag behind. Local authorities in the Irkutsk region have decided against any further reconstruction of the area’s main airport. This decision comes at a time when neighboring regions are rapidly modernizing their airport facilities, resulting in the construction of new, spacious, and aesthetically pleasing terminals.
The Irkutsk airport, which has been under the governance of the Irkutsk regional government since 2015, currently operates three terminals: one for international flights, one for domestic travelers that was built in 2009, and a terminal that has yet to open due to pending regulatory approvals. The domestic terminal is particularly strained, handling about 800 passengers per hour, which is double its intended capacity. In 2024, the airport set a new all-time record by serving nearly 4 million passengers, underscoring its rising importance even among its current infrastructural challenges.
Although the airport’s figures indicate growth, it still remains second in passenger numbers in the region, trailing behind the Krasnoyarsk airport, which has also undergone significant upgrades. Since 2015, the Irkutsk airport has invested around 6 billion rubles in major renovations, including updates to the runways and lighting systems. In 2023, Igor Levitin, the presidential assistant, advised local authorities to concentrate efforts on enhancing the existing facilities and suggested the possibility of constructing a second runway.
Interestingly, news has emerged of a potential site being designated near Angarsk for a new airport, with investments estimated at 150 billion rubles, depending on the project’s scope. This proposal is slated for the design phase by 2027.
In stark contrast, the Novosibirsk airport, named after the famed pilot Pokryshkin, stands as the largest air harbor in Siberia. It ranks as the fourth busiest airport in Russia, following Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Sochi. In 2024, it served an impressive 9.3 million passengers, reflecting a 2.3% increase from the previous year. Under the ownership of the Novaport holding group, substantial upgrades have been taking place since 2019. The airport has seen the introduction of a new domestic terminal, costing over 20 billion rubles, with an area exceeding 58,000 square meters, equipped with six telescopic boarding bridges and 54 check-in counters.
The Novosibirsk airport’s upgrades have made it a key hub for S7 Airlines. Following the completion of terminal renovations, plans for future expansions have been slated, including a second phase scheduled for 2027, which will further improve operational efficiency.
Meanwhile, Krasnoyarsk's Dmitry Hvorostovsky airport, named after the famous opera singer, has reflected an upward trajectory as well, managing to service 4.3 million passengers in 2024, a 13% increase compared to the previous year. The infrastructural developments here have been facilitated by the joint ownership of the ERA Group and the Krasnoyarsk region, where plans are ongoing to enhance terminals and the airport's runway.
Kemerovo has similarly benefitted from infrastructure investments, completing the construction of a new terminal in 2021 at the Kemerovo airport named after Leonov. This terminal was developed at a cost of 3.3 billion rubles and is expected to accommodate a passenger traffic volume of 1 million by 2028.
At the Novokuznetsk airport, which recently inaugurated a new terminal valued at 12 billion rubles in February 2025, passenger capacity is projected to reach 1.7 million annually. This airport belongs to structures linked to businessman Oleg Deripaska and reflects significant investment into the aviation sector in the region.
Tomsk airport, still under development, catered to 653,000 passengers in 2024, marking an 8.9% increase from 2023. Its recent terminal opening in August 2024 added further capability with enhancements that are expected to aid in reaching a target of 1 million passengers by 2030.
Despite being outside the traditional definitions of Siberia, the Baikal airport in Buryatia is also undergoing modernization. In November 2024, it unveiled a new terminal measuring 6,600 square meters, equipped with two jet bridges. The plans indicate an anticipated increase in traffic to 1 million passengers by 2027.
Plans for new developments are also underway in Gorno-Altaisk, where the construction of a new terminal aims to double the airport’s service capacity to 1.5 million by 2027, and in Omsk, where an urgent redevelopment of the long-stalled airport complex in Fedorovka is being undertaken with an estimated cost of 43 billion rubles. Once completed in 2028, the airport is projected to serve around 3.5 million travelers annually.
However, some airports, including Kyzyl and Abakan, are not showcased in this transformative narrative due to limited passenger activity and stagnant modernization efforts. Nevertheless, Siberia as a whole is witnessing a renaissance in airport infrastructure, with significant investments leading to improved facilities and increased service capabilities. As these developments unfold, residents and travelers alike watch closely for the impacts these modern hubs will have on regional connectivity and economic vitality.
As the region advances, the contrasts between the profitable expansions in neighboring airports and the stagnation of Irkutsk highlight a critical juncture for regional planning and investment strategies in aviation. The future is poised for change, possibly redefining air travel in Siberia.
