Kakhnovka Airfield (KHU)

Kakhnovka Airfield (KHU), also identified by its ICAO code UKHK, is a significant regional aviation facility serving the city of Kremenchuk in the Poltava Oblast of central Ukraine. Historically, the airfield has been a critical hub for helicopter pilot training, serving as the primary base for the Kremenchuk Flight College of the National Aviation University. The facility acts as a vital technical and training node, supporting both domestic utility flights and specialized aeronautical education in one of Ukraine's major industrial and engineering centers. The terminal infrastructure at Kakhnovka is minimalist and designed for functional utility rather than high-volume commercial passenger traffic. It consists of a basic, single-story building that houses administrative offices, flight coordination rooms, and waiting areas for students and authorized personnel. The layout is straightforward, with all essential functions—including former passenger waiting zones and technical briefing areas—housed within a single open-plan facility. The infrastructure includes a 700-meter concrete and asphalt runway (01/19) primarily optimized for helicopter operations and light fixed-wing aircraft. As of early 2026, the airfield remains in a non-operational state for all civilian and commercial air traffic due to the ongoing martial law and the closure of Ukrainian airspace. Reports from 2025 and early 2026 indicate that the facility has sustained structural damage to its hangars and technical training infrastructure, including the 'Helitraining-Ukraine' center. Modern commercial amenities like Duty-Free shopping or public lounges are defunct, and the airfield grounds are strictly restricted to authorized state personnel and emergency maintenance crews. Ground transportation between the airfield and the Kremenchuk city center, located approximately 5 kilometers away, is currently limited to authorized and state-regulated vehicle movements. The road link previously facilitated a quick 10-to-15 minute transit, but all access is now subject to regional security protocols. Travelers and aviation operators are advised that the facility is not a candidate for early reopening under the national aviation roadmap, and any future restoration will require a significant international reconstruction effort to repair the specialized helicopter training simulators and technical facilities once security guarantees are established for central Ukrainian airspace.