Antonov AN-28 - A RegionAvia trip to Petrozavodsk

RegionAvia was a small airline in Russia that operated, for a bit more than three years, regional flights. These flights were very decentralized, with some of them taking place in Russia's Far East, other operated from the capitol area and Saint Petersburg. RegionAvia in a sort of a way was a pioneer of regional travel, that opened doors later on for other airlines. Never the less RegionAvia when bankrupt. In the end the airline operated some 6 AN-28 and some 6 Embraer 120. While the Embraers were used on longer routes, the Antonovs flew smaller ones, such as the one from Pulkovo, via Petrozavodsk to Kostomuksha, both Karelia. While Petrozavodsk is the capitol of the Republic of Karelia, Kostomuksha is a mining town. Both airports havent seen passenger service since the collapse of the Soviet Union, and Petrozavodsk operations moved from the city airport Peski to Besovets, that is also used by the Russian Air Force.
The flights to Karelia were very basic, but with a price a bit more expensive than an 8 hour train ride (to Petrozavodsk, to Kostomuksha much more!) in first class never the less an alternative.
The check in was only held for registering the baggage, which had to be taken to the gate and later on loaded by the passenger onto the small Antonov, there was no loading staff. The bags were placed behind cabin, during boarding through the rear bulkhead. There was also a small normal bucket for "extreme emergency situations", there is no toilet on these Antonovs.
The crew consisted of 2 pilots and an engineer that also kept an eye onto the cabin. The flight to Petrozavodsk took a bit over 2 hours, and in some cases the cars below seemed to overtake the flying Antonov!
Food and drinks were not served. Never the less the flights served their purpose, and at least for a few summers (there was only service during summer) some had the pleasure of air travel instead of a train ride.
By the way, the AN-28 has an acceleration that turns your insides out, there is nothing comparable out there. Additionally, the take off run is less than a soccer field. But after a sporty beginning, with unfavorable winds, in some cases walking will be faster than flying in this classic Soviet short- take- off- and- landing- monster!