Today, Irkutsk International Airport is considered the point of intersection of flights of regional and international importance. Less than 9 years left before the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the existence of an air carrier in Siberia. He is the second oldest after the Moscow enterprise of domestic aviation.
The history of the airport
The first mention of Irkutsk International Airport was awarded in 1925. On June 24, a triumphant flight from Moscow to Beijing was made 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 was led by pilot Schmitt I. P., and the team included the future Colonel General of Aviation Mikhail Gromov.
Successfully completed flight served as a starting point for the systematic development of aviation in Siberia. The first airfield, where the transfer was made, was rather small, only 500 × 600 steps, and was located not far from the villageLaterally.
3 years later, in May 1928, the first hydroport appeared near the Znamensky Monastery, from which, 3 months later, in August, the debut flight to Bodaibo took off, consisting of passengers and mail. On the way, the plane made landings in large villages located on the banks of the Angara.
For two months, in 1934, Irkutsk pilots rescued the Chelyuskin icebreaker stuck in the ice of the Arctic Ocean. They managed to save all the crew and passengers, but the icebreaker itself 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 from Irkutsk to Moscow and from Irkutsk to Yakutsk were opened with an intermediate stop in Bodaibo.
And on New Year's Eve 1955, at the end of December, the airport was awarded the title of international airport. And Beijing was chosen as the first destination.
In 1994, Irkutsk International Airport was awarded a certificate allowing worldwide flights, and two months later a terminal for this type of service was opened.
Our time
In 2004, the Irkutsk airfield was awarded a certificate allowing international flights. A year later, Irkutsk International Airport received the status of the best in Russia and the CIS countries.
In 2008, work was carried out to lengthen the runway. Its current length is 3565 meters. Bandwidth increase now allowed to accept all typesaircraft and even heavy Boeings.
A year later, in the course of large-scale work on the reconstruction of the domestic terminal, it was awarded the national title "Crystal Gates 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, Il 96-400T, a heavy aircraft, which is focused on transporting cargo up to 92 tons, landed on the runway in Irkutsk. This opened a new chapter in the book of airport life.
In April 2013, the airport was officially removed from federal ownership and transferred to the hands of the regional.
Change in the 2000s
Irkutsk Airport has adequately survived the stagnant and penniless years. International flights still continued their flights as scheduled. When the company's financial position was stabilized in 2001, the airport's profitability began to increase again. The infrastructure was undergoing changes: the lighting equipment was replaced, the runway "grew", the reconstruction of the airport terminal began, and major repairs began in some rooms.
General information
Currently, the airport serves almost all domestic andforeign aircraft. Cooperation is conducted with 70 airlines: Russian and foreign. Every day, information appears on the scoreboard, which indicates the schedule of Irkutsk International Airport: from 10 to 17 passenger flights following federal lines, 10-15 routes for local destinations and the same number of freight flights.
Air gates that receive and depart aircraft are two passenger terminals. Built in 1939 and reconstructed in 1994, the international and commissioned in 1976 domestic.
Thanks to the large area of 2.2 hectares allocated for the cargo complex, the ability of the airport to pass through itself more than 150 tons daily increases. The cargo complex includes: a platform where air containers are processed, docks, warehouses - 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 also adjoins the Air Harbor Hotel, 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 scoreboard of Irkutsk International Airport displays all flights for the next few hours. In the airport hall there are standard souvenir shops and small cafes. There is a dedicated Wi-Fi, judging by the reviews, very good quality.
Internet page
Briberydesign of the official website: as if you are standing in the middle of the airport hall, and it seems: turn your head around and you will immediately find the desired arrivals board. Irkutsk is an international airport with rare flight routes: to Kirensk, Kyren, Shumak, Bodaibo and some others.
The Irkutsk Sky flight newspaper published twice a month will help you 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 available in terminals and airline offices.
