Chokurdakh Airport (CKH)

Chokurdakh Airport (CKH), also known by its ICAO code UESO, is a vital regional aviation facility serving the remote Arctic settlement of Chokurdakh in the Allaikhovsky District of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Russia. Situated well above the Arctic Circle near the Indigirka River, the airport acts as a critical lifeline for this isolated community, providing the only reliable year-round transport for passengers, mail, and high-priority cargo. The airfield is positioned on a tundra landscape and is a fundamental node for the logistics and survival of the Russian High Arctic. The airport features a single, functional passenger terminal building that is specifically designed to withstand the extreme sub-zero temperatures of the Siberian north. Inside, the terminal provides essential services including heated waiting areas, check-in counters for regional carriers, and basic administrative offices. The airfield infrastructure is centered around a 2,000-meter unpaved or treated surface runway that is capable of handling the rugged turboprops and small jet transports typically used in the Arctic, such as the Antonov An-24 and Sukhoi Superjet. A unique feature of the facility is its specialized taxiway network on the north side, which allows for efficient aircraft movement even in challenging winter conditions. Currently, Chokurdakh Airport is primarily served by Yakutia Airlines, which provides crucial non-stop flights to the regional capital, Yakutsk (YKS). This roughly three-hour flight is fundamental to the region's economy, facilitating the movement of government personnel, medical teams, and essential supplies that sustain the local reindeer herding and fishing industries. The airport also serves as a base for search and rescue operations and supports Arctic scientific research expeditions. Ground transportation into the Chokurdakh settlement, located just 1 kilometer to the south, is typically served by local taxis and private all-terrain vehicles, ensuring that the airfield remains an indispensable link in the transport network of the Sakha Republic.