Zvartnots International Airport - Recent and Ongoing Expansion

Recent and Ongoing Expansion

In 2004, the construction of a new international terminal began, at a cost of US$100 million. It covers an area of 19,200 m2 (207,000 sq ft) 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 US$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 19,200 m2 (207,000 sq ft) extension of the premises and a refurbishment of around 45,000 m2 (480,000 sq ft).

Now that the first phase is complete, the airport boasts a 54,000 m2 (580,000 sq ft) runway and 45,000 m2 (480,000 sq ft) of building, of which the new terminal occupies 25,000 m2 (270,000 sq ft) 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 shops 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 52,000 m2 (560,000 sq ft), doubled 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 2,000 m2 (22,000 sq ft). With the completion of the terminal, “Zvartnots” International Airport is the only airport in the Caucasus that corresponds to the rating B. The airport is now capable of serving 3.5 million passengers annually. The entire project cost was $160 million, part of which was on loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The new terminal started operating on September 16, 2011.