Zvartnots International Airport

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Zvartnots International Airport
Զվարթնոց Միջազգային Օդակայան


The control tower at Zvartnots airport.
IATA: EVN – ICAO: UDYZ
Summary
Airport type Public
Owner General Department of Civil Aviation of Armenia
Operator Armenia International Airports CJSC, owned by Corporation America
Serves Yerevan
Location Zvartnots
Elevation AMSL 2,838 ft / 865 m
Coordinates 40°08′50.19″N, 44°23′45.17″E
Website [1]
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
09/27 12,629 3,849 Asphalt

Zvartnots International Airport (Armenian: Զվարթնոց Միջազգային Օդանավակայան) (IATA: EVN, ICAO: UDYZ) is located near Zvartnots, about 10 km west of Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia. The airport was built in 1961. 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.[1]. 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 tons of cargo annually [2].

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-American company Corporation America, which is in turn owned by Argentine-Armenian 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. Yet another terminal is going to be built, housing passenger check-in counters and customs control. It is planned to open in 2011-2012[3].

In 2006, Zvartnots airport handled a total of 1,125,698 passengers, representing an increase of 1.3% over the previous year[4].

In 2007, that number grew to 1,387,002 passengers, a 23.2% increase over the previous year[4].

Currently, the airport's manager is Juan Pablo Guechigian[5].

Contents

[edit] 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. All departing passengers must pay the airport tax of 10.000 AMD (approx. 30 USD) at the exchange booth before check-in.

[edit] Recent and ongoing expansion

In 2004 the construction of a new international terminal began, at a cost of $100 million USD. It covers an area of 19.2 thousand square meters 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.

New terminal with Alania Airlines Yak-42 parked at gate
New terminal with Alania Airlines Yak-42 parked at gate

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 $100 million USD 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 19,200 sq m extension of the premises and a refurbishment of around 45,000 sq m.

Now that the first phase is complete, the airport boasts a 54,000 sq m runway and 45,000 sq m of building, of which the new terminal occupies 25,000 sq m area. In order to adapt to the forthcoming increase in visitors, new parking has been created, with capacity for 1,000 vehicles. Thirty-four international airlines will now operate from Zvartnots, connecting Yerevan and Armenia to the world’s most important cities, including London. Altogether around 60 routes will be scheduled to fly from Zvartnots.

Old terminal and control tower as seen from tarmac
Old terminal and control tower as seen from tarmac

In addition, the company has focused on improving visitor's comfort within the terminal. Arrivals 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 customs. Finally, the airport’s waiting areas and passenger service areas have been extensively renovated, together with the enhancement of the Duty Free shops’ and restaurants.

[edit] Security

Zvartnots Airport's new terminal.
Zvartnots Airport's new terminal.

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 cameras 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.

[edit] Statistics

Year 2005 [6] 2006 [4] 2007 [4]
Departing Passenger Traffic 546,000 562,825 698,614
Arriving Passenger Traffic 547,400 562,873 688,388
Total Passenger Traffic 1,111,400 1,125,698 1,387,002
Exported freight (tons) 3,701 4,080 3,515
Imported freight (tons) 5,418 5,196 6,489
Total freight (tons) 9,119 9,276 10,004
Aircraft movements (departure or landing) 6,897 6,746 7,953

[edit] Airlines and destinations

A Tupolev Tu-154 of Aeroflot at Zvartnots International Airport
A Tupolev Tu-154 of Aeroflot at Zvartnots International Airport
An Armavia Airbus A319 pushed back at Zvartnots International Airport.
An Armavia Airbus A319 pushed back at Zvartnots International Airport.
Airbus A310 of S7 Airlines at Zvartnots International Airport
Airbus A310 of S7 Airlines at Zvartnots International Airport

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Image caption on Zvartnots Airport, in Soviet Armenian Encyclopedia. Yerevan, Armenian SSR, 1986. vol. xii, 512.
  2. ^ General Department of Civil Aviation of Armenia - Airport Information
  3. ^ Avia.ru News Article (Russian)
  4. ^ a b c d General Department of Civil Aviation of Armenia - 2006-2007 Statistics
  5. ^ Armtown News Article - Will Eduardo Eurnekian Take Up Management of Gyumri Airport?
  6. ^ General Department of Civil Aviation of Armenia - 2005-2006 Statistics

[edit] External links