The airport on Kunashir Island will be put into operation this year, Interfax reports. It has been declared by vice-Prime Minister Sergey Ivanov.

"At present the capital reconstruction of Kunashir’s airport is almost completed, the runway is almost ready and the large terminal will be put into operation this year ", - said Ivanov during the meeting of Russian government’s presidium.

In addition, he noted that the joint decision regarding further implementation of program for development of Kuril Islands until 2015 has been made by Ministers and Deputy Ministers.

"We have also made a decision to increase the financing of this program by $300 mln (8,4 billion rubles). These funds will be used for extension of runway in Iturup’s airport and some other needs ", - Ivanov said.