The 3rd All-Russian Conference "AERO 2026: Construction and Operation of Airfield Infrastructure" concluded in Moscow. One of the key topics of the conference was the implementation of the national project "Efficient Transport System of the Russian Federation." Federal targets call for a 1,5-fold increase in public air mobility by 2030. Achieving the national project's targets is impossible without modernizing the infrastructure and developing the airport backbone network. To address these challenges, a series of airport construction and renovation projects have been underway since last year. "By 2030, with the support of the national project, it is planned to modernize at least 75 air hubs," explained Evgeny Nefedov, Director of the Department of State Policy in Infrastructure at the Russian Ministry of Transport. "This work will expand the geography of flights and the route network, improve regional transport accessibility, and enhance flight safety."

A series of measures to construct new and renovate existing airfield facilities is being implemented as part of the "Air Transport Infrastructure Development" program. According to Yulia Logacheva, Head of the Airport Operations Department of the Federal Air Transport Agency, pilot work on major air transport infrastructure repairs began in 2025. "This includes not only the modernization of airfield pavements but also the construction of prefabricated structures: terminals, garages, emergency rescue stations, checkpoints, and perimeter fences. We will soon be able to see such facilities in the Far East, the Far North, and the Arctic. To reduce the burden on the federal budget, concession mechanisms will be used to attract investors for such projects," Logacheva emphasized.

The conference also discussed the experience of constructing, maintaining, and repairing airfield pavements in regions with varying weather and climate conditions and traffic loads. Airport representatives from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kirovsk, Novosibirsk, Khanty-Mansiysk, Gelendzhik, and other cities shared their case studies.

This year, the conference was held for the third time and brought together representatives of government agencies, industry departments, design institutes, airport holding companies, and airfield services. The event was organized with the support of Gazpromneft-Bitumen Materials, the Russian Ministry of Transport, and the Federal Air Transport Agency. "Today, the aviation industry faces challenges: airport modernization and improving regional transport accessibility. A modern airport is high-tech and requires new approaches to infrastructure management. Gazprom Neft supports this approach, serving as a reliable partner for the industry. To discuss all these issues, we created a platform bringing together industry experts. The AERO conference strengthens partnerships and sets trends in airfield construction," noted Stanislav Ovchinnikov, CEO of Gazpromneft-Bitumen Materials.

Following the conference, a resolution was drafted, which included the participants' key proposals for the development of the industry.