Vārkava

56°16'20"N 026°31'57"E

runway: 04/22 - 400x20m - asphalt

Vārkava air field is an abandoned airfield 185 kilometers southeast of Riga, Latvia.
The airfield was built by the Soviet Union in the 1975-1985 timeframe. It was used for agricultural activities by state-run Aeroflot. It consisted of a small runway, and a medium sized platform to the southeast of the runway.


No photos of the airfield while in use have been located

Latvian Aviation only lists the airfield, without any further comment on its state.
It lists the airfield as 'unknown', because they have not had a chance to visit the airfield yet.
From aerial photography it seems a local road bisects the runway, making it potentially hazardous to operate to and from.
In 2011, MyAirfields described it as "Bad - obstacles and runway contamination", and noted: A road is crossing the field, sand and dirt is on the runway. There are also several bushes on both sides of the runway. South of the airfield there is are fields with bushes, thereby landing on 04 and takeoff on 22 is not recommended. North of the field situation is slightly better, still there are trees quite close to the runway. Generally this airfield is only suitable for emergency use.
The airfield is uncertified, which means it is officially closed to all traffic.


Undated and grainy aerial photo of Vārkava airfield (Google Earth)


Vārkava airfield in 2011 (MyAirfields)