It was a busy airport during the Soviet era, with regular flights to Minsk, Moscow, Krasnodar and other destinations.

As of 2006, the only purpose Novgorod Airport serves is hosting a meteorological facility, still operational and providing weather forecasts for the city.

Excavations on the site in preparation for a residential development unveiled the foundations of a structure associated with the Arkazhsky Monastery.

700 m away from the glide path at a height of 20 m, the landing gear and wing grazed the roof of the printing house, after which the plane flew over Karl Marx Avenue, hit several trees and еhe plane collided with a four-story apartment building.

4 crew members, 2 passengers, 5 residents of the city were killed in the accident, eight people were injured.