Why isn't there an airport near the ‘Aeroport’ subway station in Moscow? (PHOTOS)
Moscow's first airfield operated here for nearly a century. But, it was closed in the 2000s. Now, the only reminder of Khodynka Airport is the name of the nearby metro station.
1. The first demonstration flights took place there
In Fall 1909, a French pilot named Georges Leganier arrived in Russia on a tour.
It was decided to hold the demonstration flights at Khodynka Field. The crowd was delighted and the most curious and daring lay down on the ground to see if the airplanes’ wheels really didn't touch the ground. On average, such flights took place at an altitude of no more than 5-10 meters and the distance covered did not exceed 1,500 meters.
In May 1910, at the invitation of the newly organized Moscow Aeronautics Society, renowned pilot Sergei Utochkin performed at Khodynka. His breathtaking flight (lasting over 19 minutes at an altitude of 120 meters) was witnessed by 25,000 people.
2. Built with public donations
In June 1910, the society was allocated a plot of land at Khodynka to build an airfield. Soon, a runway and aircraft hangars appeared there. Construction was funded by public donations. For example, Utochkin donated 2,000 rubles, deciding to open his own flight school there. Besides him, pilot Boris Rossinsky, businessman Chichkin and the ‘Dux’ aircraft factory also had hangars there.
3. The first international flights took off from Khodynka
After the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, it was decided to establish the main airfield of the Russian Air Force there. The first international flight from Khodynka was operated by ‘Dobrolet’ on May 1, 1922, between Moscow and Königsberg. Three years later, it was extended to Berlin. From 1923, the first domestic passenger flights departed from here – to Nizhny Novgorod and Kharkov. Flights were operated by Junkers F13 aircraft, but only during the day, so that the pilot could see the railway line, which served as a landmark.
Until 1933, Khodynka remained the only airfield in Moscow. In 1931, an airport terminal building was built for passengers and, seven years later, the ‘Aeroport’ subway station followed. Today, it’s the only reminder that this area once housed the city's first airport. With the construction of new airports, the Khodynka terminal began to serve as a hub from which passengers could travel to Bykovo and Vnukovo.
4. Legendary pilot Valery Chkalov died there
In December 1938, he was testing Nikolai Polikarpov's new I-180 aircraft. While preparing for landing, the plane’s engine stalled. Chkalov decided to land the plane without returning to the airfield, but it got caught on electrical wires and crashed. The pilot was thrown from the cockpit, hit his head on a nearby metal structure and died from the injury.
5. An air taxi operated at the airfield
In the 1960s, Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo airports could be reached from the airfield in 15 minutes. The role of the taxi was performed by… a ‘Mi-4’ helicopter. The trip cost one and a half rubles.
6. Ceased operations in 2003
Khodynsky Airfield operated for almost 100 years. The last flight from there took off in 2003: an Il-38 anti-submarine aircraft departed for India. Later, the area was built over and the remaining planes were moved to various museums.
