Saratov Central Airport Explained

Central Airport
Nativename-A:Аэропорт Центральный
Iata:RTW
Icao:UWSS
Type:Public
Operator:Saratov Airlines
City-Served:Saratov
Location:Saratov, Russia
Elevation-F:499
Elevation-M:152
Pushpin Map:Russia Saratov Oblast
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of airport in Saratov Oblast
Pushpin Label:RTW
R1-Number:12/30
R1-Length-F:7,284
R1-Length-M:2,220
R1-Surface:Asphalt
Stat1-Header:Passengers
Stat1-Data:433,385
Stat-Year:2016

Saratov Central Airport (Aeroport Centraľnyj) is a defunct airport in Saratov. It was a federal-status[1] international airport located in Saratov's Kirovsky district. It served as the primary base for Saratov Airlines until May 2018. In 2016, the airport recorded total traffic of 433,385 passengers.[2] On 20 August 2019 Saratov Central Airport ceased all operations due to launch of new Saratov Gagarin Airport (now serves as a primary airport for Saratov and Saratov Oblast).

History

Saratov is home to a number of other aviation facilities: Dubki sports aerodrome, Saratov-Sokol military airbase, and Shumeika landing field.[3] Another facility, Saratov South Air Base, was closed in 2010.

On 30 May 2018, Russian Aviation Authority announced that Saratov Airlines has ceased operations due to its massive aviation law violation, found during the unplanned airline monitoring, that occurred after the plane crash in February. That brought a risk to the airport with many flights cancellations, because it is owned by the airline. It is one of the two airlines operating out of the airport, the other one is Aeroflot, that also operated flights to and from Saratov. Nevertheless, after the airline ceased all operations, the airport continues to operate the only flights to Moscow by Aeroflot, increasing the frequency. The airport served its last flight on 20 August 2019, 5:00.

Former airlines and destinations

All flights were ceased on 20 August 2019.[4] As of July 2019 Saratov Central Airport served following destinations:[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: List of Russian Federal Airports (in Russian).
  2. Web site: Объемы перевозок через аэропорты России. favt.ru. 3 June 2017.
  3. Web site: ООО "АЭРОН". aeronavia.ru. ru. 3 June 2017.
  4. News: Открытие аэропорта "Гагарин" в Саратове намечено на 20 августа . 26 July 2019 . ТАСС . 28 June 2019.
  5. Web site: Расписание рейсов. Аэропорт "Саратов "Центральный" . saratovairlines.ru . АО "Саратовские авиалинии" . 26 July 2019 . ru-ru.