(KRASNODAR, RUSSIA) Krasnodar International Airport has reopened for commercial service after more than three years of wartime closure, with officials confirming full operational status as of 9:00 a.m. Moscow time on September 11, 2025. The airport, shut since February 24, 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, returns to service following an interagency safety review, infrastructure repairs, and new security procedures meant to address ongoing regional risks tied to drone and missile threats.
Russian transport officials said both passenger terminals, the airfield, and special equipment are now ready to serve travelers and airlines. The first inbound passenger service from Moscow is set for September 17, 2025, while Aeroflot and other carriers plan to restore international routes to Yerevan, Istanbul, and Dubai later in September. Authorities describe the restart as a needed step to reconnect southern Russia’s residents and businesses with major domestic and international hubs.
The Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) oversaw the safety review and coordinated the reopening process with regional authorities. According to their public guidance, the airport’s return followed a comprehensive assessment of flight operations, ground services, and security controls. Officials emphasized that enhanced monitoring will continue, given the airport’s proximity to the conflict zone and the broader pattern of drone activity that has periodically disrupted air traffic at other airports in southern Russia. For regulatory and operational updates, travelers can consult the Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya).
Operational status and schedule
Airport management confirmed that standard passenger services—check-in, security screening, and boarding—are in place across both terminals. The airfield has undergone repairs to taxiways, while terminal facades and parking areas saw upgrades during the closure.
Staff kept skills current through training at Sochi Airport, which became the primary gateway for many travelers in the region after February 2022. Airlines are now free to schedule both domestic and international flights.
Announced plans include:
1. The first inbound flight from Moscow on September 17, 2025.
2. International services by Russian carriers to Yerevan, Istanbul, and Dubai later in September.
Passengers should expect standard processing at the airport but plan for extra time due to heightened security and possible schedule shifts as carriers ramp up operations. Authorities urge travelers to check directly with their airlines and the airport on the day of travel, since short-notice changes remain possible in a region where airspace conditions can change quickly.
Security context and travel advice
The reopening comes amid continued reports of Ukrainian drone strikes against Russian military and energy assets. This risk environment underpinned the airport’s original closure and the repeated extensions that followed.
Security analysts call the restart a logistics win but caution that the root risks have not fully cleared. Russian officials acknowledge the uncertainty and say they will keep tight protocols in place, including increased surveillance and coordination across agencies.
Key travel advice:
– Monitor flight status frequently, especially within 24 hours of departure.
– Expect enhanced security checks.
– Keep itineraries flexible in case of unexpected delays or rerouting.
The region’s air transport network has lived with irregular disruptions for much of the past three years. While the reopening is meant to stabilize access, authorities warn that operations may still face pauses if security conditions change.
Economic and social implications
Officials frame the restart as an economic and social boost. Reopening is expected to:
– Restore vital air links for residents.
– Reconnect business supply chains.
– Support resort areas along the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
Before the closure, Krasnodar served as a major southern hub. Its absence pushed traffic to Sochi and other airports farther from the front, raising costs and travel times for families and companies alike. With services now returning, local commerce and tourism should see some relief—provided the security situation allows steady flight schedules.
Maintenance, staffing, and operational readiness
During the shutdown, the airport:
– Ran maintenance to keep assets ready (including taxiway repairs).
– Refreshed terminal exteriors and improved parking facilities.
– Kept staff current through training programs (notably at Sochi Airport).
The Russian Transport Ministry and Rosaviatsiya approved the reopening plan after reviewing readiness, emergency procedures, and the layered security that will remain in place.
Airline and market outlook
Airlines’ route strategies will likely evolve over the coming weeks:
– Carriers typically add frequencies and destinations in stages as they confirm demand and reliability.
– If stability holds, observers expect more connections to return, gradually rebuilding Krasnodar’s pre-2022 network.
VisaVerge.com reports that airlines often prioritize high-demand city pairs first, then add regional links as load factors improve and on-time performance stabilizes.
Travel agencies in the region are already promoting new itineraries combining domestic legs with international connections via Moscow and other hubs. Benefits for travelers and businesses include:
– Shorter flight options for families who previously faced long road or rail trips.
– Faster air cargo lanes for small exporters and logistics firms handling time-sensitive goods.
Ongoing risks and recommended precautions
At the same time, the ongoing conflict continues to shape planning. Security experts note that drone warfare has changed risk assessments for civilian aviation across parts of southern Russia. Even with radar improvements and coordination among agencies, hazards may emerge with little warning.
Authorities say they will keep a “watch and adjust” posture, which may include temporary suspensions or diversions if needed. Travelers should treat schedules as firm but not guaranteed—especially in the early weeks after the airport’s reopening.
Local officials ask residents and visitors to:
– Follow airport guidance closely.
– Arrive early.
– Cooperate with security staff.
They also point to improved communication channels designed during the closure, including faster updates to airline systems and public notices when operations change. The goal is to minimize confusion if delays occur.
Final takeaway
Krasnodar’s comeback also carries symbolic weight after a long suspension that many saw as indefinite. The February 2022 order that shut down civilian flights across multiple regional airports was repeatedly extended as drone incidents rose. Reopening now signals confidence in risk controls and a desire to revive mobility and economic activity across the south.
As of today:
– Krasnodar International Airport has reopened and is fully operational.
– The first scheduled inbound arrives September 17, 2025.
– International routes are slated to resume later in the month.
– Security remains tight with continued monitoring.
For passengers: book, confirm, and stay flexible. For airlines: the next few weeks will test both demand and reliability as the region works to restore a key air hub that has been dark since 2022.
This Article in a Nutshell
Krasnodar International Airport resumed full commercial operations on September 11, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Moscow time after being closed since February 24, 2022. The reopening followed a comprehensive safety review led by Rosaviatsiya, infrastructure repairs including taxiway work and terminal upgrades, and the implementation of enhanced security measures to mitigate drone and missile threats. Both terminals, the airfield and special equipment are ready; the first inbound passenger flight from Moscow is scheduled for September 17, with airlines planning to restore international routes to Yerevan, Istanbul and Dubai later in September. Standard passenger services are available, but travelers should expect heightened security checks and possible schedule changes. The restart aims to revive regional mobility, tourism and commerce, though authorities caution that operations may face temporary suspensions if security conditions deteriorate. Passengers and airlines are advised to monitor Rosaviatsiya and carrier notices for real-time updates.
