Baikal Airport is the air gateway to the capital of Buryatia, the city of Ulan-Ude. From the plane ladder to the city center is only 15 kilometers. In a professional language, this is a key domestic airport of federal significance, which additionally has international status. The first aircraft landed on the local airstrip in 1926. Since then, the non-standard airfield has turned into a modern multifunctional complex capable of receiving aircraft of all types at any time of the day. The airport is located next to Lake Baikal, one of the largest fresh water bodies in the world - a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Air crossing
The strategic facility is an important air transport hub. It is conveniently located in the heart of aviation routes, 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 necessaryinfrastructure. On March 28, 2008, the enterprise was issued a certificate of conformity No. FAVT A.01123, which allows it to carry out airport activities.
The creation of a special tourist and recreational economic zone of Lake Baikal contributes to the growth of tourist flow through the Ulan-Ude airport. An increase in the service of both charter and regular flights to domestic and international destinations has already been recorded.
Due to the better meteorological conditions due to the fact that Baikal (lake) is located nearby, the airport is often used as a spare for residents of Chita and Irkutsk. There are more sunny days here with favorable weather for flying.
Technical capabilities
The airfield's runway was reconstructed in 2007. Thanks to the installed modern lighting equipment OVI-1, updated artificial turf and a length of 3000 meters, it can receive international and Russian aircraft of all types without take-off weight restrictions. Technical capabilities allow you to send and receive aircraft at any time of the day.
The base airlines are:
- Panh Airlines (PANH) - specializes in servicing local airlines and conducting various air operations in Buryatia. The fleet consists of aircraft Cessna Caravan, An 2/3, Let 410.
- Buryat Airlines (Buryat Airlines) - makes regular flights in Eastern Siberia on regional airlines. The aircraft fleet includes An 2/3/24.
What types of aircraft can the airport accept
Located in the western suburbs of Ulan-Ude, Baikal Airport is approved to receive civil 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, Baikal Airport, within the framework of the Open Skies special project, serves military aircraft of NATO countries. Advantageous location and modern equipment make Ulan-Ude airport a convenient place for technical landing, ground handling and refueling of cargo planes from China, Russia and other Asia-Pacific countries.
Statistics
In recent years, 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, purchase new ground and aircraft equipment, and open new flights.
The performance of the enterprise has been growing for the last 3 years. This is evidenced by the passenger service statistics:
- 2011 - 185865 people;
- 2012 - 270554 people;
- 2013 - 300564 people.
Dynamics of 2014 also says that the indicators of 2013 will be covered. Growth in domestic destinations amounted toten%. 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. Personal transport can be left in a paid unguarded parking lot near the airport building (the first 15 minutes are free) or you can use an alternative free parking lot at the address: Airport village, 10.
On the route Ulan-Ude - Baikal Airport, there are three city regular 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 terminal administration has concluded an exclusive agreement with the New Yellow Taxi organization. Drivers of this company only have permission to drive passengers directly to the terminal entrance. The price of the trip, depending on the distance, varies between 300-450 rubles.
Subsidies for airfare
Thanks to the federal program of subsidizing air tickets for passengers of Siberia and the Far East, some categories of citizens can buy tickets to a number of destinations at a significant discount. For residents of Buryatia, the direction between Ulan-Ude and Moscow is subsidized. A ticket for this direction (excluding tax, one way) costs 6200 rubles. This benefit is intended for pensioners, young people (up to 23 years old), disabled people of the 1st group and their accompanying persons. The state will also subsidize flights to the Republic of Crimea.
In 2015, at the regional level, the issue of subsidies fortickets for domestic destinations:
- Ulan-Ude – Taksimo;
- Ulan-Ude – Nizhneangarsk.
Development plans
By order of Metropol, Lufthansa Consulting has developed a development strategy for Ulan-Ude Airport for the next 15 years. According to plans, in 10 years the Baikal airport will be able to receive a million passengers annually.
As part of the target federal program "Social and economic development of the Baikal region until 2018", the issue of building a new ultra-modern runway has been resolved. Initially, it was planned to modernize the old lane, but in the end it was decided to build a second one. This solution will improve logistics and increase freight and passenger traffic.
Baikal Airport: reviews
People evaluate the organization of work and passenger service differently. In general, the reviews are typical for 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 departing flights to Moscow. Sometimes arriving passengers experience delays in baggage claim.
On the ground floor, near the check-in counters, there are ticket kiosks of regional and major carriers: Ural Airlines, C7, Aeroflot and others. Nearby are tents with food, souvenirs, periodicals, there is a cafe. At a distance - chairs for those waiting. On the second floor, where people get after registration, there are also many kiosks with variousproducts, in particular, authentic Buryat souvenirs. The organization of space is planned conveniently. Passengers note clean toilets and a smoking area as pleasant trifles.
