Baikal Airport is an air gateway to the capital of Buryatia, the city of Ulan-Ude. From the ramp to the city center is only 15 kilometers. In a professional language, this is a nodal domestic Russian airport of federal significance, additionally having international status. The first aircraft landed on a local runway in 1926. Since then, the non-scheduled airfield has become a modern multifunctional complex capable of receiving all types of aircraft at any time of the day. The airport is located near Baikal, one of the largest freshwater reservoirs in the world - a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Crossroads
The strategic facility is an important air hub. It is well located in the heart of the airways, connecting Siberia, the Far East, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. The airport is equipped with the latest meteorological and air navigation complex, a security system, the necessary infrastructure. March 28, 2008, the company was issued a certificate of conformity No. FAVT A.01123, which allows for airport activities.
The creation of a special tourist and recreational economic zone of Lake Baikal contributes to the growth of tourist flow through the airport of Ulan-Ude. Already, service growth has been recorded for both charter and regular flights to domestic and international destinations.
Due to the best meteorological conditions due to the fact that Baikal (lake) is located nearby, the airport is often used as a reserve for residents of Chita and Irkutsk. There are more sunny days with favorable weather for flights.
Technical capabilities
The runway of the airfield in 2007 was reconstructed. Thanks to the installed modern light-signaling equipment OVI-1, updated artificial turf and a length of 3000 meters, it can receive international and Russian aircraft of all types without restrictions on take-off weight. Technical capabilities allow you to send and receive aircraft at any time of the day.
Base airlines are:
- Panh Airlines (PANH) - specializes in servicing local airlines and conducting various aircraft operations in Buryatia. The park consists of aircraft Cessna Caravan, An 2/3, Let 410.
- Buryat Airlines (Buryat Airlines) - operates regular flights to Eastern Siberia on regional airlines. The fleet includes An 2/3/24.
What types of aircraft can an airport take
Located in the western suburbs of Ulan-Ude, the Baikal Airport is admitted to receive civilian airliners of the following modifications:
- Airbus 319/320/321;
- Boeing 737/757;
- Tu 154/204/214;
- SAAB 340;
- ATP 42/72;
- IL 76;
- Yak-42;
- AN-12.
If necessary, it is possible to receive military transport aircraft and special purpose ships. In particular, the Baikal Airport, as part of the Open Skies special project, serves NATO military aircraft. The advantageous position and modern equipment make Ulan-Ude Airport a convenient place for technical landing, ground handling and refueling of cargo aircraft from China, Russia and other Asia-Pacific countries.
Statistical data
In recent years, the Baikal International Airport has changed. In 2011, the owner changed here - the company was bought by the Metropol group of companies. Direct investments in the amount of 200 million rubles made it possible to modernize the runway, repair the terminal building, acquire new ground and aircraft equipment, and open new flights.
The company's performance over the past 3 years is growing. This is evidenced by passenger service statistics:
- 2011 - 185865 people;
- 2012 - 270,554 people;
- 2013 - 300,564 people.
The dynamics of 2014 also says that 2013 figures will be blocked. Domestic growth was 10%. The number of sorties increased by 30.6.
How to get there
Baikal is the nearest airport to Ulan-Ude. By road from the city to the airport, the road takes 20 minutes. Private vehicles can be left in a paid unguarded parking lot near the airport building (the first 15 minutes are free) or you can use the alternative free parking at the airport Airport, 10.
The Ulan-Ude - Baikal Airport route has three city shuttle buses: No. 28, 55, and 77. These routes intersect in the center of Ulan-Ude at the Ploshchad Sovetov stop. An alternative to buses is taxis. The airport administration has concluded an exclusive agreement with the organization "New Yellow Taxi". Drivers of only this company have permission to drive passengers directly to the entrance of the terminal. The price of the trip, depending on the distance, varies between 300-450 rubles.
Airline subsidies
Thanks to the federal program for subsidizing airline tickets for passengers in Siberia and the Far East, some categories of citizens can buy tickets in a number of directions at a significant discount. For residents of Buryatia , the direction between Ulan-Ude and Moscow is subsidized . A ticket in this direction (excluding fees, one way) costs 6,200 rubles. This benefit is intended for senior citizens, young people (up to 23 years old), disabled people of the 1st group and their accompanying. The state will also subsidize flights to the Republic of Crimea.
In 2015, at the regional level, the issue of subsidies for tickets to intra-republican areas will be addressed:
- Ulan-Ude - Taksimo;
- Ulan-Ude - Nizhneangarsk.
Development plans
By order of the Metropol, Lufthansa Consulting developed a development strategy for the Ulan-Ude Airport for the next 15 years. According to plans, in 10 years Baikal Airport will be able to receive a million passengers annually.
Within the framework of the targeted federal program “Social and Economic Development of the Baikal Region until 2018”, the issue of building a new ultramodern runway was resolved. It was originally planned to upgrade the old strip, but in the end it was decided to build a second one. Such a solution will improve logistics and increase freight and passenger traffic.
Baikal Airport: reviews
People evaluate the organization of work and passenger service in different ways. In general, reviews are typical of a regional airport. The small terminal building seems cramped, but there are not very many passengers, so there is no discomfort. A certain fuss arises when sending flights to Moscow. Arriving passengers sometimes experience delays in baggage claim.
On the ground floor near the check-in counters, there are ticket kiosks for regional and large carriers: Ural Airlines, C7, Aeroflot and others. Nearby are tents with food, souvenirs, periodicals, a cafe. At a distance - chairs for waiting. On the second floor, where people get after registration, there are also many stalls with various products, in particular, authentic Buryat souvenirs. Organization of space is planned conveniently. As pleasant trifles, passengers note clean toilets and the presence of a smoking area.