After years of silence, the resort town of Gelendzhik has taken to the skies again. On July 18, 2025, the brand-new terminal at Gelendzhik Airport welcomed its first passengers — travelers arriving on Aeroflot Flight SU-1082 from Moscow Sheremetyevo. It marks not just the return of air travel to this Black Sea destination, but the rebirth of one of Russia’s most visually striking regional airports.
This long-awaited reopening follows the lifting of flight restrictions (NOTAM) by Rosaviatsiya on July 10, finally allowing airlines to return to Gelendzhik. The airport had been closed since February 2022, when 11 southern Russian airports were shut down due to heightened security concerns amid regional tensions. Gelendzhik is now only the second of those airports to resume operations, following Elista’s partial reopening last year.
A Terminal That Feels Like a Destination
What makes Gelendzhik’s comeback especially memorable is the architectural design of its new terminal, created by the renowned Italian studio Fuksas. The structure is inspired by a bird soaring above the bay — and it shows. Inside, the feather-like ceiling panels shimmer with dynamic lighting that shifts from sunrise hues to starry twilight, evoking the reflections of sunlight and moonlight on the sea.
Travelers arriving for a Black Sea holiday will find not only comfort but inspiration:
13 check-in counters, including for oversized luggage
6 boarding gates
2 baggage claim belts
A parking area for 430 vehicles
A barrier-free environment designed for strollers, wheelchairs, and all levels of mobility
And perhaps most striking — an open-air terrace with panoramic views of the sea, the runway, and the mountains beyond.
Built for the Future of Tourism
“This is a milestone we’ve worked hard to reach,” said Ivan Taranchenko, CEO of Gelendzhik Airport. “We prepared every detail for safe and smooth operations, and now all flights and passengers will be served through this beautiful new facility. It’s a new era for Gelendzhik.”
Constructed in just 18 months, the terminal is not only elegant but efficient — a feat rarely seen in Russian aviation infrastructure for buildings of such complexity.
More than 1,800 square meters of the new space are dedicated to shops and restaurants. According to airport officials, the terminal will soon host both well-known national chains and local brands, offering travelers a blend of familiar comforts and regional charm.
With its world-class design and scenic coastal setting, Gelendzhik’s new terminal feels like more than an airport — it’s a destination in itself. And as the Black Sea region begins to reopen to air travel, this architectural marvel might just set the tone for the future of Russian tourism.
Photo: Spectrum Group
