Ministry of Civil Aviation (Soviet Union)

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (Soviet Union) (Министерство гражданской авиации СССР, abbreviated as MGA) was the central administrative body of the Soviet Union responsible for the regulation, operation, and development of civil aviation. It controlled all aspects of civilian air transport, including the operation of the national airline Aeroflot, the management of airports, air traffic control, and the production of civil aircraft.

The MGA was responsible for setting safety standards, training pilots and other aviation personnel, and conducting research and development in the field of civil aviation. It also oversaw the construction and maintenance of airport infrastructure throughout the Soviet Union.

The Ministry's extensive control over all aspects of civil aviation allowed for a highly centralized and planned approach to air transport, prioritizing national needs and strategic objectives. It played a crucial role in connecting remote regions of the USSR, facilitating economic development, and providing passenger and cargo transport services.

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the assets and responsibilities of the MGA were divided among the newly independent states. In Russia, its functions were largely assumed by the Federal Aviation Administration (Rosaviatsiya).