May 23, 2026, Lappeenranta. The airport in the Finnish city of Lappeenranta, once a bustling destination, has now become a symbol of fading tourism activity. On this day, the only passenger flight in the last six months departed. This charter flight to Rhodes, organized by a travel company, provided a breath of fresh air for the airport, which is facing the threat of complete closure due to a sharp decline in Russian tourist arrivals.

According to a source at the airport, the plane carrying the passengers has departed for the Greek island, and its return is scheduled for next week. The next scheduled flight, also a charter, is scheduled for September 18 and will depart for Corfu. This flight is also scheduled to return next week. Currently, the airport's schedule includes only four flights for the current year, with only one having taken place so far.

 The airport, which was closed for regular flights last autumn, is not expected to reopen until at least October 24. Until then, the control tower is closed, and flights in the controlled airspace area are not being monitored. This means that only one-time flights are possible, based on individual requests, which, according to the staff, are extremely rare even in the small aviation segment. Today's flight to Rhodes was an exception, as the control tower was opened for a limited period of three hours to accommodate the flight.

 During the past winter, the airport did not regularly clear the runway of snow, as it did not anticipate any flights. Work was carried out only when necessary, and there were no more than a dozen of them during the entire season.

 With almost no air traffic, Lappeenranta Airport is looking for alternative ways to survive. Part of the passenger terminal is rented out as offices, generating a modest income of around 500 euros per month per room. Access to the rented rooms is available on weekdays from 08:00 to 15:00. The airport also has a restaurant that offers set meals on weekdays, trying to attract the local population.

The situation at Lappeenranta Airport is a clear example of how political and economic factors can have a significant impact on the lives of small border towns and their infrastructure. The loss of Russian tourist traffic, which previously accounted for the majority of its passenger traffic, has put the airport's very existence in jeopardy. The future of Lappeenranta as an aviation hub remains uncertain, and its development will depend on various factors, including the geopolitical situation and the airport's ability to adapt to new realities.