Arrival of the initial plane from Moscow at Gelendzhik Airport
After a hiatus of nearly three years, Gelendzhik Airport in southern Russia has resumed operations, marking a significant step towards restoring normalcy in the region. The airport, located on the Black Sea coast and a popular tourist destination, reopened on July 9, 2025, following an assessment by Russian authorities that safety conditions have improved enough to allow limited civilian air traffic.
The resumption of flights is expected to boost tourism and regional connectivity, with Aeroflot leading the way. The airline is currently operating three flights a day to Gelendzhik, with each flight accommodating approximately 175 passengers. The average cost of a night's stay at a hotel in Gelendzhik has increased to 8,800 rubles, indicating a growing demand for accommodation.
On July 18, Aeroflot's Flight SU-1082 from Moscow made the first landing at the reopened airport. The flight's scheduled arrival time was 15:25, but it touched down slightly later at 15:35. The aircraft's route included flying over the Caspian Sea at 13:50 and over the Karachay-Cherkessia at 14:52.
Upon arrival, Flight SU-1082 was greeted by a water arch organised by fire trucks, a traditional welcome ceremony for arriving flights. Passengers on the flight are expected to receive commemorative souvenirs, including a case for their boarding pass and passport, to mark this historic occasion.
In addition to Aeroflot, Ural Airlines, S7 Airlines, Smartavia, and Utair have announced their readiness to resume flights to Gelendzhik. The exact cities from which these airlines will fly have been reported by Yuga.ru.
Flight tracking was available online through the Gelendzhik Airport website and the Flightradar24 app, allowing interested parties to follow the journey of Flight SU-1082 in real-time. It's worth noting that the flight took off earlier than scheduled, at 11:19 instead of the scheduled 12:25 departure time.
Experts anticipate that the reopening will not cause a large surge in passenger traffic initially, as the airport will handle a very limited number of flights and roughly 500–550 passengers daily, far less than pre-2022 levels. The flights must also follow longer, safer routes avoiding conflict areas, which affects operational efficiency.
Despite the continuation of hostilities in the broader region, the reopening of Gelendzhik Airport is a testament to the Russian authorities' commitment to ensuring safety while prioritising the needs of the local tourism industry and regional connectivity.
[1] [Rosaviatsiya reopens Gelendzhik Airport](https://www.rosaviatsiya.ru/news/2025/gelendzhik-airport-reopens/) [2] [Gelendzhik Airport resumes operations](https://tass.ru/ekonomica/1610067) [3] [Experts anticipate limited passenger traffic at Gelendzhik Airport](https://www.interfax.ru/russia/781678) [4] [Gelendzhik Airport to handle limited number of flights](https://www.aeroflot.ru/news/gelendzhik-airport-to-handle-limited-number-of-flights/)
The resumption of flights to Gelendzhik Airport will likely attract more tourists, boosting the regional lifestyle and connectivity. With Aeroflot's daily flights and increasing hotel prices, it seems that the demand for travel and accommodation in Gelendzhik is on the rise.
The reopening of Gelendzhik Airport to commercial flights also signals a return of sports events, as several airlines have expressed interest in flights that could potentially bring sports enthusiasts to the region.
