Stalingrad Airport is once again the official name of the main air hub serving the southern Russian city of Volgograd. The decision to restore the historic name was recently approved at the regional level, marking a symbolic return to a name that carries deep historical significance.
Originally opened in 1952, the airport once bore the name Stalingrad before the city itself was renamed to Volgograd in 1961, as part of the Soviet Union’s de-Stalinization campaign. Now, more than six decades later, the name Stalingrad has been revived—not as a political gesture, but as a tribute to one of the most important victories of World War II.
Authorities say the renaming honors the memory of the Soviet people’s role in the Great Patriotic War, particularly the Battle of Stalingrad, which remains one of the bloodiest and most decisive confrontations of the conflict. The move is intended to memorialize the courage and sacrifice of those who fought and died in the battle that changed the course of the war.
Today, Stalingrad Airport is a modern gateway equipped to handle flights under challenging weather conditions. It features a recently upgraded air terminal complex with two terminals and a contemporary runway. With an annual passenger traffic of over 1.5 million travelers, the airport plays a vital role in connecting Volgograd with other parts of Russia and international destinations.
