Keperveem Airport

Keperveyem Airport serves the small village of Keperveyem in Russia's Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, a region defined by tundra, permafrost, and the Arctic Circle. The airport operates on a limited schedule, with flights typically coordinated around resource extraction and community needs. The single gravel runway handles small turboprop aircraft like the Antonov An-24 and L-410, connecting Keperveyem primarily to Bilibino and Anadyr. For a settlement of around 700 people, the airstrip is a lifeline — there are no roads linking Keperveyem to the outside world, and the Anadyr River is navigable only in summer.

Getting There

Keperveyem Airport lies less than 2 kilometres east of the village centre, a short walk or drive along a dirt track. There is no public transport to or from the airport. Most passengers arrive by pre-booked taxi or are met by company vehicles from the nearby gold mines or administrative offices. The nearest city with regular commercial flights is Anadyr, about 200 kilometres southeast. From Anadyr, charter flights are the only direct connection. Flights from Bilibino also operate, typically twice a week. In summer, a seasonal gravel road from Bilibino exists but is impassable after rain. The only reliable year-round access to Keperveyem is by air. Winter ice roads on the Anadyr River are used for cargo, but are not safe for passenger vehicles.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal is a single-storey wooden and corrugated metal building. Inside, the space is basic: a small waiting area with plastic chairs, a check-in counter, and a manual baggage scale. There is no air conditioning, no café or shop, and no dedicated security screening area — carry-on bags are sometimes inspected informally. The building is heated by a wood stove in winter. Toilets are available but may lack running water; bring hand sanitiser and tissue. On arrival, luggage is brought to a small porch. The entire process from landing to exit takes under 10 minutes. For those waiting for departing flights, the airport provides shelter but little else. Pack snacks and water. On busy mornings (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday according to the schedule), the small waiting area may fill quickly. There is no luggage storage, no ATM, and no currency exchange. Mobile phone reception is intermittent; Wi-Fi does not exist.

Hi Lee this is keperveyem and Keperveyem

Keperveyem (also spelled Keperveem) sits on the left bank of the Anadyr River, deep in the Chukotka tundra. The village was founded in the 1940s as a centre for reindeer herding and later became a base for geological exploration. Today, the local economy revolves around reindeer husbandry, fishing, and — most significantly — gold mining. The nearby Klyon gold deposit, operated by Severstal, employs many residents and drives the weekly flight schedule. The population hovers around 700, predominantly Chukchi and Even, with a small Russian minority.

Visitors come for one of two reasons: business (mining, government, research) or cultural tourism. The village itself is a cluster of pastel-coloured wooden houses, a school, a medical clinic, and a small shop. The surrounding landscape is vast and empty: rolling tundra, rivers, and in the distance, the Ilirnei Mountains. In summer, the sun never fully sets, and the tundra bursts into a mosaic of moss, lichen, and dwarf shrubs. Migratory birds gather in thousands. In winter, temperatures drop to -40°C, and the aurora borealis appears on clear nights.

Cultural experiences include visiting a reindeer herder's camp, sampling stroganina (frozen raw fish), and learning about Chukchi traditions. There is no formal tourism infrastructure — accommodation is limited to a small guesthouse or rental rooms. English is rarely spoken; some knowledge of Russian or Chukchi is helpful. Permits to enter Chukotka are required for foreign nationals and must be arranged in advance. Because of the region's border zone status, all visitors must register with local authorities upon arrival.

Keperveyem offers an authentic Arctic experience without the gloss of tourist resorts. It is a place where the airport, the village, and the tundra converge in a single, practical purpose: survival.

Practical Information

The airport does not operate every day. According to the schedule, flights arrive and depart on Monday (5 am), Tuesday (8 am), Wednesday (9 am), and Thursday (12 midnight). Hours may shift with weather and demand. The airport phone number is +7 427 322-71-75; call in advance to confirm your flight. There is no website. Payment for tickets is usually cash (Russian rubles) in advance at the village administration or via the mining company. Bring all essential supplies — food, water, medicine, warm clothing — from Anadyr or Bilibino. A useful tip: confirm your departure time at least 24 hours beforehand by phone, as flight schedules change with little notice due to fog, ice, or mechanical issues.