"Retrospective'': most catching pages of Zvartnots airport old and new history

February 11 review of a special project "Retrospective’’ initiated by Armenpress is dedicated to Zvartnots airport old building (round building) opening. Armenia’s first state news agency informs, Armenia’s air gates ‘’invited’’ the people to participate in a historical event in 1982.

Armenia's air gates are inviting…

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 11, Armenpress: Doubtless the construction of an airport is rather difficult yet an event of most importance. Possessing a developed aviation influences not only on financial and economic situation of the country, but enables serious reasons to get proud. "Zvartnots" airport old complex building is famous among the population by round building name. Centuries long it has welcomed representatives of different nations, and set off Armenians longing for their return to Homeland. The opening of the building was too expected event.

Dmitry Atbashyan, Head of the NKR Civil Aviation Department told Armenpress, the Airport has been operating since 1961; the new round complex was exploited as a result of five year lasting construction in 1982. Dmitry Atbashyan recalls that important event with nostalgic feelings and peculiar pride. 5-6 member delegation has arrived from the Soviet Union headed by Soviet Union Aviation Ministry first Deputy Minister Aratnikov.

"Zvartnots": Soviet Union best Airport

In the words of Dmitry Atbashyan the Airport was very convenient and was considered the best Soviet Union. Even Moscow wondered how Armenia was enabled a chance to build a more powerful Airport than Sheremetovoairport was. The Airport was round which gave an opportunity to host fourteen aircrafts simultaneously, to serve 2100 passengers in an hour.

"Zvartnots" has been declared the best airport in CIS during the 2nd annual Emerging Airports Conference and Exhibition 2013. Polling results for more than 20 nominations have been declared on January 30. There have been various nominations. Among them were "World's Best Airport", "Best Airport in the Middle East", "Best Airport of Europe", and others. In the nomination of "Best Airport of CIS, Russia, and Baltic States" "Zvartsnots" Airport of Yerevan has been declared as the best airport of CIS.

Yerevan "Zvartnots" Airport representing the main air gate of the Republic of Armenia has been operating since 1961. "Zvartnots" Airport envisioned handling of the flights operated solely on the territory of the former USSR. On 1985 ICAO granted the airport the second class. To make the Airport meet the international standards its runway was fully repaired, safety, information and check-in new systems were installed, VIP lounges repaired and the construction of the new passenger terminal, the arrival hall of which was introduced to operation on September 14, 2006, started. The departure hall of the new passenger terminal was introduced into operation on May 25, 2007.

In Spring 2008, the construction of the new passenger terminal of public zone has initiated, the termination of which is anticipated in 2011. In the new passenger terminal with the territory of 52.000 sqm, the passenger check-in counters and security control points will be doubled. A new underground parking will be built, with parking area for more than 800 cars.