โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
30
minutes
Domestic โ International
60
minutes
International โ Domestic
60
minutes
International โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
90
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Petrozavodsk Airport (PES), also known as Besovets, is the primary aviation gateway to the Republic of Karelia in northwestern Russia, located approximately 7.5 miles (12 km) northwest of the city center. The airport operates from a modern passenger terminal building that was inaugurated in 2020, replacing older infrastructure to provide a more streamlined and contemporary experience for regional travelers. As a joint-use facility, it serves as a critical civilian transport hub while simultaneously acting as an active base for the Russian Air Force.
The terminal infrastructure provides essential amenities for domestic travelers, including a comfortable airside cafรฉ offering hot beverages, sandwiches, and regional snacks. While commercial retail options are limited, the facility features a small shop for travel essentials and local Karelian souvenirs, alongside free Wi-Fi throughout the building. The facility is fully accessible, designed with modern ramps and specialized seating to accommodate passengers with reduced mobility, ensuring a comfortable environment despite its modest scale.
Ground transportation to central Petrozavodsk is primarily supported by local taxi services and municipal bus route #117, which provides regular links during daytime hours. Official taxi stands are located directly outside the arrivals exit, and the airport offers convenient on-site parking for both short-term and long-term stays. Travelers should note that photography of the airfield's military aircraft and installations is strictly prohibited due to its dual-use status, and most commercial operations are focused on domestic connections to Moscow, Sochi, and Kaliningrad.
๐ Connection Tips
Petrozavodsk Airport (PES), also known as Besovets, is the primary gateway to the Karelia region of Russia. Taxis are also plentiful outside arrivals and take about 20 minutes to reach town for a fare of roughly 400-600 RUB; using the Yandex Go app is recommended for fixed pricing. Ensure you have handled all banking in the city center
Located 12 kilometers northwest of the city, ground transport is reliable. The terminal is a joint civil-military base and handles regular domestic flights to Moscow and Saint Petersburg The civil-military setup is what keeps the airport functional for Karelia, so a transfer into town should be planned with the same care as any other controlled-base arrival.
Local Bus Route #100 and #117 connect the terminal directly to the Petrozavodsk central bus station and railway station every 30-60 minutes. Arrive 2 hours early for domestic departures. The airport is a critical link for visiting the UNESCO Kizhi Island; take a taxi to the Petrozavodsk wharf for boat services. A taxi to the wharf should be arranged before landing, because Kizhi access depends on the boat connection and the town bus is only useful when the transfer is already timed for the island leg.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Achinsk Airport (ACS), with ICAO code UNKS, is a small regional airfield located near the town of Achinsk in Russia's Krasnoyarsk Krai. It primarily serves general aviation, including private aircraft, local charters, and specific aviation services for the region. Critically, the airport does not currently host scheduled commercial airlines, meaning all air travel operates on a non-scheduled basis. Its terminal facilities are extremely rudimentary, often consisting of a basic building or a simple shelter that provides minimal amenities for passenger processing. This minimalist setup supports essential flight operations rather than extensive passenger services.
The layout of Achinsk Airport is straightforward, featuring a single runway and a basic apron area. Operations are conducted with direct access from the small landing strip to the boarding area, which is often a designated spot on the tarmac. There are no complex multi-terminal configurations or extensive ground facilities. All activities are centered around facilitating flight movements for general aviation, emphasizing efficiency over passenger comfort in a remote regional context. Walking times are negligible, typically mere seconds from arrival to aircraft.
Amenities at Achinsk Airport are exceptionally sparse. Passengers should not expect airline lounges, dedicated dining facilities, or retail shops. Any available provisions would be extremely limited, possibly from a very basic local vendor nearby. Travelers are strongly advised to bring their own necessary supplies, including food, water, and personal items. Security procedures are minimal, consistent with its classification as a regional airfield not serving scheduled commercial traffic, focusing on visual checks and adherence to local aviation safety protocols. There are no immigration or customs facilities on site, as it handles domestic general aviation.
๐ Connection Tips
Achinsk Airport operates as Russia's regional aviation facility serving Krasnoyarsk Krai's third-largest city, located 4 kilometers east of Achinsk center along the strategic Trans-Siberian Railway corridor 160 kilometers west of Krasnoyarsk. Currently functioning without scheduled commercial passenger service, this former military diversionary airfield for the 712th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment at Kansk air base now primarily accommodates general aviation, flight training operations, and serves as an alternate landing site for regional aircraft navigating Siberia's challenging weather conditions.
Domestic connections require ground transport to Krasnoyarsk International Airport (Yemelyanovo) located 160 kilometers east via the M53 federal highway, offering comprehensive services through Aeroflot, S7 Airlines, and NordStar to Moscow's three airports, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, and over 40 Russian destinations. The Trans-Siberian Railway station in central Achinsk provides alternative connectivity with daily services to Krasnoyarsk (3 hours), Novosibirsk (12 hours), and Moscow (58 hours), serving as a critical transportation junction where the Achinsk-Lesosibirsk northern branch and Achinsk-Abakan southern branch intersect with the main transcontinental route.
Ground transportation from the airport relies primarily on pre-arranged taxis for the 4-kilometer journey to Achinsk city center, typically requiring 10-15 minutes via local roads, while the city's extensive public transport network includes one of Russia's last Soviet-era tram systems alongside municipal buses connecting industrial districts. Weather considerations in this continental Siberian climate include extreme winters with temperatures reaching -40ยฐC affecting aircraft operations from November through March, while summer temperatures exceeding 35ยฐC can impact density altitude for small aircraft. The airport's strategic importance centers on supporting Achinsk's major industrial operations including the RUSAL alumina plant producing 27% of Russia's aluminum, the Achinsk Oil Refinery processing West Siberian crude, and cement production facilities generating 2 million tons annually for regional infrastructure projects.
โ Back to Petrozavodsk Airport