The Irkutsk region government is systematically developing the aviation infrastructure of Priangarye, focusing on preserving existing airports and restoring small airfields. Sergey Eroshchenko said terminal and runway reconstruction is needed to improve safety and expand flight routes. Talks continue on creating the federal enterprise Airports of Eastern Siberia and transferring Irkutsk airport to regional ownership. New airfields on Olkhon and in Tofalaria are also being discussed, and a future partnership with a major airline could lower ticket prices.

The Governor stated that the Government of the Irkutsk Region is carrying out systematic work to develop the aviation infrastructure of the Angara region.
– The existing demand for air transportation, the long distances between settlements, and the lack of any other transport links determine the feasibility of preserving the existing airport complexes and putting previously existing ones back into operation. In the very near future, these efforts will be coordinated by the minister of transport of the regional Government, – Sergey Eroshchenko emphasized.
The Governor also said that the Government of the Angara region is conducting a systematic and ongoing search for opportunities and ways to put the region’s small airports in order – to restore them and resume flights. “To improve safety, transportation efficiency, and expand the geography of air routes, reconstruction work is needed at existing terminals and runways,” Sergey Eroshchenko explained. According to him, negotiations with the federal center are continuing on the creation of the federal state-owned enterprise “Airports of Eastern Siberia” and the transfer of the Irkutsk airport to regional ownership. Taking into account the region’s tourism potential, it is possible to discuss projects for airfields or landing sites on Olkhon and in Tofalaria.
In the future, Sergey Eroshchenko noted, the issue of the region’s partnership with one of the major airlines may be considered. The creation of a competitive environment in air transportation will lead to lower airfares not only on local routes, but also on flights from Irkutsk to Moscow.
Based on materials from the press service of the Government of the Irkutsk Region and the Governor of the Irkutsk Region