Hayk Baghdasaryan

Zvartnots International Airport

"Zvartnots" International Airport of Yerevan, is the main air gate of the Republic of Armenia, which has been operating since 1961. Then, the airport envisioned handling of flights operated solely on the territory of the former USSR. On December 17, 2001, the Government of the Republic of Armenia signed a concession agreement with the Argentine "Corporación América", by which management of the "Zvartnots" International Airport of Yerevan was entrusted to "Armenia" International Airports" CJSC for 30 years. In June 2002 "Armenia" International Airports" CJSC assumed management of the airport. Since then the company has committed itself to the renovation and expansion of the airport. Still, back in 1985, the airport was granted ICAO standards II category. Later on, in order to bring the airport services to international standards, the airport runway was completely renovated, new security, information and check-in systems were installed, VIP lounges were restructured, a new passenger terminal was built, with the Arrival Hall starting operation on September 14, 2006 and the Departure Hall on May 25, 2007. In spring 2008 there started the construction of the New Passenger Terminal public zone: passenger check-in desks, examination points were doubled in the new 52.000 sq.m complex. New underground parking was built. In autumn 2011 the New Terminal was put into operation. The navigation system installed on the runway ensures 30x350m meteorological minimum for landing, which corresponds to the ICAO 2nd class. On January 30, 2013, during the 2nd Annual Emerging Airports Conference and Exhibition held in Dubai the results of votes for over 20 nominations were announced. The nominations were different: "Best Emerging Airport of the World", "Best Emerging Airport of the Middle East", "Best Emerging Airport of Europe", etc. During the award ceremony, Yerevan's "Zvartnots" International Airport was chosen as the "Best Emerging Airport of Russia, CIS and the Baltic