Russia's wooden airports: Simple charm from a bygone era

Good read plus lots of pictures!

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/r...rts/index.html

(CNN) — This is the era of the glass and steel airport.

As if made from the same mold, shiny, glittering terminals have become a status
symbol for any city with aspirations.

But all of this is a world away from the remoteness of Russia's Arctic regions
and the Siberian wilderness.

Here you'll discover an entirely different type of airport, built in the
mid-20th century when the Soviet Union saw in air transport a way to expand the
state's reach to every corner of its territory, even if that meant little more
than a dirt runway and a radio shack.

You won't find huge duty-free shops, fast food joints or big-name fashion
brands, but Russia's wooden airports have a beauty of their own.

Some are a little dilapidated, but even then their frailness and simplicity give
them a unique and charming character.

Here's a travel guide to some of Russia's most remarkable wooden airports. But a
warning to would-be visitors: Although many of them see regular airline service,
getting there can be quite an adventure.


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