Ulan-Ude, the airport "Baikal"

The Baikal airport is an air gateway to the capital of Buryatia, the city of Ulan-Ude. From the plane to the city center, only 15 kilometers. In professional language this is a nodal domestic airport of federal significance, additionally having the status of an international one. The first aircraft landed on the local runway in 1926. Since then, the supernumerary airfield has turned into a modern multifunctional complex capable of accepting airplanes of all types at any time of the day. There is an airport near Baikal, one of the largest fresh water reservoirs in the world - a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Air junction

The strategic facility is an important air transport hub. It is well located in the heart of the air routes, connecting Siberia, the Far East, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. The airport is equipped with the latest meteorological and air navigation complex, security system, necessary infrastructure. On 28.03.2008 the enterprise was issued a certificate of compliance No. FAVT A.01123, which allows to carry out airport activities.

The creation of a special tourist and recreational economic zone of Lake Baikal contributes to the growth of tourist traffic through the airport of Ulan-Ude. Already, there has been an increase in the maintenance of both charter flights and regular flights on domestic and international routes.

Thanks to the best meteorological conditions, due to the fact that Lake Baikal is located nearby, the airport is often used as a reserve for residents of Chita and Irkutsk. There are more sunny days with weather-friendly weather.

Technical capabilities

The runway of the airfield in 2007 was reconstructed. Thanks to the installed modern light-signaling equipment OVI-1, the renewed artificial cover and the length of 3000 meters, it can accept international and Russian aircraft of all types without restriction on the take-off mass. Technical capabilities allow you to send and receive aircraft at any time of day.

The basic airlines are:

• Panh Airlines (PANH) - specializes in servicing local air lines and carrying out various air operations in Buryatia. The park consists of Cessna Caravan, An 2/3, Let 410 aircraft.
• Buryat Airlines (Buryat Airlines) - makes regular flights to Eastern Siberia by regional airlines. The aircraft fleet includes An 2/3/24.

What types of aircraft can take the airport

Located in the western suburb of Ulan-Ude, the Baikal airport is admitted 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 vessels. In particular, the airport "Baikal" in the special project "Open Skies" serves military aircraft of NATO countries. Favorable position and modern equipment make the airport Ulan-Ude a convenient place for technical landing, ground handling and refueling of cargo planes from China, Russia and other Asia-Pacific countries.

Statistical data

In recent years, the international airport "Baikal" has changed. In 2011, the owner changed here - the company was bought by a group of companies Metropol. Direct investments in the amount of 200 million rubles allowed to modernize the runway, to repair the terminal building, to purchase new ground and aircraft equipment, to open new flights.

The indicators of the company have been growing for the last 3 years. This is evidenced by passenger service statistics:

• 2011 - 185,865 people;
• 2012 - 270554 people;
• 2013 - 300564 people.

The dynamics of 2014 also says that the figures for 2013 will be closed. The growth on domestic routes was 10%. At 30.6 the number of departures increased.

How to get there

"Baikal" is the nearest airport to Ulan-Ude. On the road transport from the city to the airport terminal the road takes 20 minutes. Private transport can be left on the paid unguarded parking lot near the airport building (the first 15 minutes are free of charge) or use the alternative free parking at the address: Airport, 10.

On the route Ulan-Ude - the airport "Baikal" there are three city buses: №28, 55 and 77. These routes cross in the center of Ulan-Ude at the stop "Ploshad Sovetov". An alternative to buses is a taxi. The administration of the terminal concluded an exclusive contract with the organization "New Yellow Taxi". Drivers of only this firm have permission to bring passengers directly to the terminal entrance. The price of the trip varies from 300 to 450 rubles depending on the distance.

Subsidies for air tickets

Thanks to the federal program of subsidizing air tickets for passengers in Siberia and the Far East, some categories of citizens can buy tickets in a number of destinations at a significant discount. For residents of Buryatia the direction between Ulan-Ude and Moscow is subsidized . A ticket in this direction (excluding collection, one way) costs 6200 rubles. The given privilege is intended for pensioners, young people (up to 23 years), invalids of the 1st group and their attendants. Also, the state will subsidize flights to the Republic of Crimea.

In 2015, at the regional level, the issue of ticket subsidies for in-country destinations will be addressed:

• Ulan-Ude - Taksimo;
• Ulan-Ude - Nizhneangarsk.

Development plans

On the order of Metropol, Lufthansa Consulting developed a strategy for the development of Ulan-Ude airport for the next 15 years. According to plans, in 10 years the airport "Baikal" will be able to receive a million passengers annually.

Within the target federal program "Social and economic development of the Baikal region until 2018" the issue of building a new ultramodern runway has been resolved. Originally planned to modernize 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 turnover.

Baikal Airport: reviews

People differently assess the organization of work and the maintenance of passengers. In general, the reviews are typical for the regional airport. The small building of the air terminal seems cramped, but there are not so many passengers, so there is no discomfort. A certain fuss arises when sending flights to Moscow. Sometimes arriving passengers encounter delays in the issue of baggage.

On the ground floor, near the check-in counters, there are kiosks selling tickets for regional and major carriers: Ural Airlines, C7, Aeroflot and others. Nearby are tents with food, souvenirs, periodicals, there is a cafe. Away - chairs for waiting. On the second floor, where people enter after registration, there are also many stalls with different products, in particular, authentic Buryat souvenirs. The organization of the space is planned conveniently. As pleasant trifles passengers note clean toilets and the presence of a smoking zone.