Orsha Airport Explained

Orsha Airport
Orša-Balbasava
Nativename:Во́рша Aэрапорт
Iata:TXC
Icao:UMIO
Type:Military/Commercial
City-Served:Orsha
Location:Orsha, Vitebsk Region, Belarus
Elevation-F:620
Elevation-M:189
Pushpin Map:Belarus#Europe
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Belarus
R1-Number:05/23
R1-Length-F:9845
R1-Length-M:3001
R1-Surface:Concrete

Orsha Airport (previously named Balbasovo Airbase, given as Balbasava, Bolbasovo, Orsha Southwest, and Orsha) is a commercial airport in Belarus, located 11 km southwest of Orsha. It has a long runway, large tarmac area, a terminal building, 3 commercial remote stands, and 30 large revetments. A remote revetment area contains 5 bomber pads and probably 5 fighter pads.

The airport is also home to the Orsha Aircraft Repair Plant (OARP).[1]

It was home to the 402nd Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment (402 TBAP) flying Tupolev Tu-22M3 (ASCC: Backfire) aircraft as recently as 1993.[2] [3] The 402 TBAP's division headquarters was 326 TBAD at Soltsy-2.

Its IATA code TXC was assigned in late 2021, in preparation of taking up commercial air transport operations.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Belarus Aircraft Repair Plant - Orša-Balbasava (UMIO) Орша-Балбасава (Orsha-Balbasovo) . Scramble.nl. 21 January 2023.
  2. Web site: Dal'nyaya Aviatsiya . Aviabaza KPOI .
  3. Web site: 402nd Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment. Soviet Armed Forces 1945-1991. 21 January 2023.