Zvartnots International Airport
Encyclopedia
Zvartnots International Airport ( Zvart'nots' Mijazgayin Odanavakayan) is located near Zvartnots, 12 km (7.5 mi) west of Yerevan
, the capital city of Armenia
. The airport was built in 1961. It is now the busiest airport in Armenia
and the Caucasus
. The draftsmen of the airport included architects M. Khachikyan, A. Tarkhanyan, J. Sheqhlyan, L. Cherkezyan and designers H. Tigranyan, A. Meschyan
, and constructor M. Baghdasaryan. The airport was renovated in the 1980s with the development of a new terminal
area, in order to meet domestic traffic demands within the Soviet Union
.
When Armenia declared its independence from the Soviet Union in the 1990s, the considerable growth of cargo shipments resulted in the construction of a new cargo terminal in 1998, with modern technical equipment that can handle about 100,000 tonnes of cargo annually.
In 2001, a 30-year concession agreement for the management of operations at the airport was signed with Armenia International Airports CJSC, owned by Argentine company Corporation America, which is in turn owned by Armenian Argentine businessman Eduardo Eurnekian
. As part of that agreement, Armenia International Airports CJSC committed itself to renovate and expand the airport in order for it to become a vital link for tourism and commerce between Asia
and Europe
, as well as to modernize its facilities and services.
As part of those commitments, renovation and expansion work began in 2004, culminating in the opening of a new international terminal on June 1, 2007, after 40 months of work. Another terminal opened on 16 September 2011.
In 2010, Zvartnots airport handled a total of 1,612,016 passengers and 9,783 aircraft movements, a respective 11.4% and 12.5% increase over the previous year's figures.
The airport able to accept any type of aircraft, including Airbus A380
.
Currently, the airport's manager is Juan Pablo Guechigian.
100 million. It covers an area of 19200 m² (22,963 sq yd) and can handle 2 million passengers a year. The building of this terminal is part of the 30-year concession agreement signed by the Armenian Government
and Armenia International Airports.
On September 14, 2006 the newly built arrivals hall was opened. The new international terminal with its departures section was opened on June 1, 2007.
An additional investment of USD$100 million will be carried out until 2010. Improvements at Zvartnots will involve a total investment of €
164 million for the next 30 years. Armenia International Airports CJSC has already allocated over €70 million to the first phase, which included a 19200 m² (22,963 sq yd) extension of the premises and a refurbishment of around 45000 m² (53,819.6 sq yd).
Now that the first phase is complete, the airport boasts a 54000 m² (64,583.5 sq yd) runway and 45000 m² (53,819.6 sq yd) of building, of which the new terminal occupies 25000 m² (29,899.8 sq yd) area. In order to adapt to the forthcoming increase in visitors, new parking has been created, with capacity for 1,000 vehicles. Many international airlines now operate from Zvartnots, connecting Yerevan
to the world's most important cities.
In addition, the company has focused on improving visitor's comfort within the terminal. The arrival hall capacity has been doubled to reach a volume of over 1,000 passengers per hour, and passenger management will be streamlined thanks to a substantial expansion of the customs. Finally, the airport's waiting areas and passenger service areas have been extensively renovated, with availability of Wi-Fi
, together with the enhancement of the duty-free shop
s and restaurants.
Runway 09 is equipped with an ILS CAT II, which enables aircraft operations in low ceiling
(30 meters) and visibility (350 meters).
In the spring of 2008, the construction of a new passenger terminal began, in order to supplement the existing concourse. The project was completed in September 2011. The new passenger terminal, occupying 52000 m² (62,191.5 sq yd), will double the number of passenger check-in counters and security control points. A new underground parking lot was built, with a parking area for more than 800 cars, and occupying 2000 m² (2,392 sq yd). With the completion of the terminal, “Zvartnots” International Airport is the only airport in the Caucasus
that corresponds to the rating B. It will be able to serve 3.5 million passengers annually. The entire project cost $160 million, part of which was on loan from the Asian Development Bank
(ADB). The new terminal started operating on September 16, 2011.
have been installed at the airport, both inside the buildings and in open spaces.
The modernization effort has been significant, including the implementation of an innovative flight information display system
(FIDS) as well as a new automated and biometric
-identification system for baggage check-in and passenger control. All buildings are now also equipped with free Wi-Fi Internet
connection.
Yerevan
Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's oldest continuously-inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country...
, the capital city of Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
. The airport was built in 1961. It is now the busiest airport in Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
and the Caucasus
Caucasus
The Caucasus, also Caucas or Caucasia , is a geopolitical region at the border of Europe and Asia, and situated between the Black and the Caspian sea...
. The draftsmen of the airport included architects M. Khachikyan, A. Tarkhanyan, J. Sheqhlyan, L. Cherkezyan and designers H. Tigranyan, A. Meschyan
Arthur Meschian
Arthur Meschian is an Armenian rock musician, singer, composer, artist and architect. He is also known as one of the founders of Armenian rock...
, and constructor M. Baghdasaryan. The airport was renovated in the 1980s with the development of a new terminal
Airport terminal
An airport terminal is a building at an airport where passengers transfer between ground transportation and the facilities that allow them to board and disembark from aircraft....
area, in order to meet domestic traffic demands within the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
.
When Armenia declared its independence from the Soviet Union in the 1990s, the considerable growth of cargo shipments resulted in the construction of a new cargo terminal in 1998, with modern technical equipment that can handle about 100,000 tonnes of cargo annually.
In 2001, a 30-year concession agreement for the management of operations at the airport was signed with Armenia International Airports CJSC, owned by Argentine company Corporation America, which is in turn owned by Armenian Argentine businessman Eduardo Eurnekian
Eduardo Eurnekian
Eduardo Eurnekian is an Argentinian businessman.-Rise to prominence:Eduardo Eurnekian was born to immigrants from Armenia, in 1932...
. As part of that agreement, Armenia International Airports CJSC committed itself to renovate and expand the airport in order for it to become a vital link for tourism and commerce between Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, as well as to modernize its facilities and services.
As part of those commitments, renovation and expansion work began in 2004, culminating in the opening of a new international terminal on June 1, 2007, after 40 months of work. Another terminal opened on 16 September 2011.
In 2010, Zvartnots airport handled a total of 1,612,016 passengers and 9,783 aircraft movements, a respective 11.4% and 12.5% increase over the previous year's figures.
The airport able to accept any type of aircraft, including Airbus A380
Airbus A380
The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine jet airliner manufactured by the European corporation Airbus, a subsidiary of EADS. It is the largest passenger airliner in the world. Due to its size, many airports had to modify and improve facilities to accommodate it...
.
Currently, the airport's manager is Juan Pablo Guechigian.
Recent and ongoing expansion
In 2004, the construction of a new international terminal began, at a cost of USD$United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
100 million. It covers an area of 19200 m² (22,963 sq yd) and can handle 2 million passengers a year. The building of this terminal is part of the 30-year concession agreement signed by the Armenian Government
Politics of Armenia
Politics of Armenia takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President is the head of government, and of a platform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government...
and Armenia International Airports.
On September 14, 2006 the newly built arrivals hall was opened. The new international terminal with its departures section was opened on June 1, 2007.
An additional investment of USD$100 million will be carried out until 2010. Improvements at Zvartnots will involve a total investment of €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
164 million for the next 30 years. Armenia International Airports CJSC has already allocated over €70 million to the first phase, which included a 19200 m² (22,963 sq yd) extension of the premises and a refurbishment of around 45000 m² (53,819.6 sq yd).
Now that the first phase is complete, the airport boasts a 54000 m² (64,583.5 sq yd) runway and 45000 m² (53,819.6 sq yd) of building, of which the new terminal occupies 25000 m² (29,899.8 sq yd) area. In order to adapt to the forthcoming increase in visitors, new parking has been created, with capacity for 1,000 vehicles. Many international airlines now operate from Zvartnots, connecting Yerevan
Yerevan
Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's oldest continuously-inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country...
to the world's most important cities.
In addition, the company has focused on improving visitor's comfort within the terminal. The arrival hall capacity has been doubled to reach a volume of over 1,000 passengers per hour, and passenger management will be streamlined thanks to a substantial expansion of the customs. Finally, the airport's waiting areas and passenger service areas have been extensively renovated, with availability of Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
, together with the enhancement of the duty-free shop
Duty-free shop
Duty-free shops are retail outlets that are exempt from the payment of certain local or national taxes and duties, on the requirement that the goods sold will be sold to travelers who will take them out of the country...
s and restaurants.
Runway 09 is equipped with an ILS CAT II, which enables aircraft operations in low ceiling
Ceiling (aeronautics)
With respect to aircraft, a ceiling is the maximum density altitude an aircraft can reach under a set of conditions.The word ceiling can also refer to the height of the lowest obscuring cloud layer above the ground.-Service ceiling:...
(30 meters) and visibility (350 meters).
In the spring of 2008, the construction of a new passenger terminal began, in order to supplement the existing concourse. The project was completed in September 2011. The new passenger terminal, occupying 52000 m² (62,191.5 sq yd), will double the number of passenger check-in counters and security control points. A new underground parking lot was built, with a parking area for more than 800 cars, and occupying 2000 m² (2,392 sq yd). With the completion of the terminal, “Zvartnots” International Airport is the only airport in the Caucasus
Caucasus
The Caucasus, also Caucas or Caucasia , is a geopolitical region at the border of Europe and Asia, and situated between the Black and the Caspian sea...
that corresponds to the rating B. It will be able to serve 3.5 million passengers annually. The entire project cost $160 million, part of which was on loan from the Asian Development Bank
Asian Development Bank
The Asian Development Bank is a regional development bank established on 22 August 1966 to facilitate economic development of countries in Asia...
(ADB). The new terminal started operating on September 16, 2011.
Security
In order to comply with the international air regulations, Armenia International Airports has made a great effort to improve security at Zvartnots. Amongst other measures, 150 surveillance camerasClosed-circuit television
Closed-circuit television is the use of video cameras to transmit a signal to a specific place, on a limited set of monitors....
have been installed at the airport, both inside the buildings and in open spaces.
The modernization effort has been significant, including the implementation of an innovative flight information display system
Flight information display system
A Flight Information Display system is a computer system used in airports to display flight information to passengers, in which a computer system controls mechanical or electronic display boards or TV screens in order to display arrivals and departures flight information in real-time. The displays...
(FIDS) as well as a new automated and biometric
Biometrics
Biometrics As Jain & Ross point out, "the term biometric authentication is perhaps more appropriate than biometrics since the latter has been historically used in the field of statistics to refer to the analysis of biological data [36]" . consists of methods...
-identification system for baggage check-in and passenger control. All buildings are now also equipped with free Wi-Fi Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
connection.
Airlines and destinations
Cargo airlines
Statistics
| Year | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 (Jan-Oct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Departing Passenger Traffic | 546,000 | 562,825 | 698,614 | 751,310 | 729,835 | 816,866 | 704,387 |
| Arriving Passenger Traffic | 547,400 | 562,873 | 688,388 | 728,690 | 717,562 | 795,150 | 645,632 |
| Total Passenger Traffic | 1,111,400 | 1,125,698 | 1,387,002 | 1,480,000 | 1,447,397 | 1,612,016 | 1,350,019 |
| Exported freight (tons) | 3,701 | 4,080 | 3,515 | 4,000 | 3,100 | 3,300 | |
| Imported freight (tons) | 5,418 | 5,196 | 6,489 | 6,700 | 5,200 | 5,500 | |
| Total freight (tons) | 9,119 | 9,276 | 10,004 | 10,774 | 8,400 | 8,800 | 7,810 |
| Aircraft movements (departure and landing) | 6,897 | 6,746 | 7,953 | 8,624 | 8,699 | 9,783 | 8,299 |
Facilities
- ArmaviaArmaviaAir Company "Armavia" is an airline with its head office on the grounds of Zvartnots International Airport in Zvartnots, Armenia, near Yerevan. It operates international passenger services from Yerevan to destinations in Europe and Asia...
Head Office - Air Training Centre
- Cargo
- Bank
- Business and VIP Lounge
- Post Office
- Taxi Service
- Parking
- Tourism Information
- Car Rental
- Cafe and Restaurant
- Duty Free
- Wi-Fi
Access to airport
Bus #201 connects the airport with the crossroads of Sayat-Nova and Mashtots streets in Yerevan. Bus #108 also connects the city center with the airport.See also
- Shirak AirportShirak AirportShirak International Airport is an international airport serving Gyumri and the province of Shirak. It is located about 5 km from the center of Gyumri. The airport was inaugurated in 1961, and is the second largest airport in the country, after Yerevan's Zvartnots International Airport...
- Stepanakert AirportStepanakert Air BaseStepanakert Airport |Khojaly]], near Stepanakert, the capital city of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic , a de facto independent republic which territory is de-jure recognized as a part of Azerbaijan. The airport has been under the control of the NKR since the ceasefire agreement of the...
- Transport in ArmeniaTransport in ArmeniaThis article considers transport in Armenia. For Soviet transportation, see Transport in the Soviet Union.-Total: in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines-Broad gauge:825 km of gauge...
External links
- Zvartnots International Airport (Official website)
- Flights Information (Arrivals)
- Flights Information (Departures)
- Flights Timetable
- General Department of Civil Aviation of Armenia - Airport Information