Today, Irkutsk International Airport is considered the intersection of flights of regional and international importance. Less than 9 years are left until the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the air carrier in Siberia. He is the second oldest after the Moscow enterprise of domestic aviation.
Airport History
First mentioned International Airport Irkutsk was awarded in 1925. On June 24, a triumphal flight was made from Moscow to Beijing with intermediate landings and aircraft changes in Irkutsk and Ulan Bator. Of the air six, 4 aircraft belonged to domestic aviation, and 2 were foreign.
The flight expedition took place under the command of the pilot Shmitd I.P., and the future aviation colonel general Mikhail Gromov was part of the team.
Successfully completed flight served as a point for the start of aviation systematic development of Siberia. The first airfield at which the transplant took place was quite small, only 500 × 600 steps, and was located not far from the village of Bokovo.
After 3 years, in May 1928, the first seaport appeared near the Znamensky Monastery, from which 3 months later, in August, the debut flight to Bodaibo, consisting of passengers and mail, took off. On the way, the plane landed in large villages located on the banks of the Angara.
For two months, in 1934, Irkutsk pilots rescued the Chelyuskin icebreaker, which was stuck in the ice of the Arctic Ocean. They managed to save all crew members and passengers, but the icebreaker sank.
A year later, on the day of the celebration of the air fleet, Irkutsk citizens were offered an air parade consisting of 14 aircraft.
After the war, in January 1948, the first round-the-clock flights were opened from Irkutsk to Moscow and from Irkutsk to Yakutsk with an intermediate landing in Bodaibo.
And under the New Year of 1955, at the end of December, the airport was awarded the title of international. And the first destination was Beijing.
In 1994, Irkutsk International Airport was marked with a certificate authorizing worldwide flights, and two months later a terminal was opened for this type of line.
Nowadays
In 2004, the airfield of Irkutsk was awarded a certificate allowing international flights. And a year later Irkutsk International Airport received the status of the best in Russia and the CIS countries.
In 2008, work was done to lengthen the runway. Today its length is 3565 meters. The increase in the band allowed now to accept all types of aircraft and even heavy Boeings.
A year later, during large-scale reconstruction of the terminal of domestic airlines, he was awarded the national title “Crystal Gate of Irkutsk”.
In 2010, for the first time in 15 years, more than 1,000,000 passengers were served in one year.
In June 2012, another award was made at the contest "The Best Airport of the CIS Countries", where there was a victory in the nomination as the most actively developing.
After 4 months, the IL 96-400T, a heavy aircraft that focuses on the transport of goods up to 92 tons, landed on the runway in Irkutsk. This allowed opening a new chapter in the airport’s book of life.
In April 2013, the airport was officially removed from federal ownership and transferred into the hands of the regional.
Change in the 2000s
Decently survived the stagnant and non-monetary years, the Irkutsk airport. International flights still continued their scheduled departures. When the financial situation at the enterprise was stabilized in 2001, the profitability of the airport began to increase again. The infrastructure was undergoing changes: there was a replacement of light-signaling equipment, the runway “grew”, reconstruction of the airport began, and major repairs began in some rooms.
General information
At present, the airport serves almost all domestic and foreign aircraft. Cooperation is conducted with 70 airlines: Russian and foreign. Every day, information appears on the scoreboard showing the schedule of the Irkutsk International Airport: from 10 to 17 passenger flights following federal lines, 10-15 routes to local destinations and the same number of cargo flights.
The air gates receiving and sending aircraft are two passenger terminals. Built in 1939 and reconstructed in 1994, international and put into operation in 1976, domestic.
Due to the large area of 2.2 hectares reserved for the cargo complex, the airport's ability to pass through itself more than 150 tons daily increases. The cargo complex includes: a platform on which air containers, docks, warehouses are processed - with a total area of 1257 sq. m
Enterprise for people
Irkutsk Airport is a large enterprise that provides jobs for about 2,000 people. It is also adjacent to the hotel "Air Harbor", a repair shop and a medical unit, an aviation service. For passengers with VIP status, there are dedicated service areas in each of the two terminals.
The board of the Irkutsk International Airport displays all flights for the next few hours. The airport hall has standard souvenir shops and small cafes. There is a dedicated Wi-Fi, judging by the reviews, very good quality.
Internet page
The design of the official website bribes: as if you are standing in the middle of the airport hall, and it seems: turn your head around and immediately find the desired arrival board. Irkutsk - An international airport with rare air routes: to Kirensk, Kyren, Shumak, Bodaibo and some others.
The flying newspaper “Irkutskoe Nebo”, published twice a month, will help you to find out the latest news from air carriers; you can read interviews with the heads of various airlines in the Irkutsk Region. The newspaper is distributed free of charge and is located in the terminals and offices of airlines.