Penza airport will be able to receive up to 700 thousand passengers per year.

The number of vacancies in the Penza region is almost 4.5 times higher than the number of officially registered unemployed citizens: for the first time since 1991, the region reached an unemployment rate of 1.5%. Oleg Melnichenko, the governor of the region, told about this at a meeting with Vladimir Putin on April 20. Industrial production and salaries of local residents are growing in the region. Vladimir Putin also noticed successes in agriculture. Other topics include the reconstruction of the main airport in the region, which will begin in 2026.

What was discussed at the meeting

The region maintains a positive industrial production index: the volume of goods shipped increased from 530 billion in 2024 to 577 billion rubles in 2025. At this rate, the region will reach 1 trillion rubles of GRP by 2029, the governor is confident. Moreover, a significant share of small and medium—sized enterprises in the gross regional product contributes to the stability of the local economy - it has reached 35.6%. "This is the first place in the Volga Federal District, the sixth place in Russia," the governor emphasized.

The Penza Region has reached an unemployment rate of 1.5% for the first time since 1991, which is lower than in Russia as of January 1, 2026, the head of the region noted. There are more than 8,700 vacancies for almost 2 thousand citizens looking for work and registered. This is reflected in the salary of residents: by the end of 2025, it amounted to 67,292 rubles, and in industry — 76,508 rubles. "And even in agriculture, we are catching up with the average salary in industry," Oleg Melnichenko noted.

By 2030, the Penza region will increase the volume of deep processing of turkey from 200 to 300 thousand tons. According to Oleg Melnichenko, this type of poultry has export potential, since 40% of its products are already supplied to Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. The President noted the good dynamics in the region's agriculture.

Putin drew attention to the deterioration of kindergartens and schools in Karachay-Cherkessia

The republic's authorities have already adopted a regional program to remedy the situation.

The authorities plan to build a new airport terminal that will be able to serve up to 700,000 passengers per year. Now this indicator is kept at the level of 400 thousand people. The cost of the project is estimated at more than 5 billion rubles. In 2026, the preparation of design estimates and survey work will begin. "To be honest, it's a shame even in front of fellow countrymen, because when fellow countrymen arrive, we don't even have a normal baggage terminal, that is, they take us out by car, almost lay them out on the asphalt. Therefore, of course, it is necessary to move away from this and come to modern, civilized forms," the governor said.