In the decade after World War II, Po-2 and W-2 planes were widely used in air-chemical works and coastal exploration for fish in the service of geologists and forest patrols.

[citation needed] From 1959 to 1964, a complex of ground facilities was built to allow regular flights with larger planes after the closure of the Vtoraya Rechka Airport, encroached by the growing city.

The Lake Springs airfield (approximately 2 miles south-west of the main terminal) was designed for aircraft operating on regional routes.

However, even before the crisis that has occurred since 2014, the Aeroexpress did not bring enough demand, running at the constant loss, due to a high fare and heavily automobilized population: most locals could rely on friends and family members to give them a ride, or had their own cars parked at the airport.

Additionally, several bus routes offered the ride for significantly lower cost than the express, drawing off some of the visitors who found the rail and taxi fares excessive.