The airport was opened in 1961, and following a design competition held in 1970, M. Khachikyan, A. Tarkhanyan, S. Qalashyan, L. Cherkezyan and M. Baghdasaryan won the right to design the first terminal building. 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 growth of cargo shipments resulted in the construction of a new cargo terminal in 1998 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 Corporación America, which is in turn owned by Armenian Argentine businessman Eduardo Eurnekian. As part of that agreement, Armenia International Airports CJSC renovated the runway, main taxiways and ramp. In 2006, a new gate area and arrivals hall opened, followed by an overall improvement of the airport's fire services, including replacing the entire fire-fighting fleet with new vehicles. A new departures and arrivals terminal, car-parking facility with a capacity of 600 vehicles and a government delegation terminal all opened in 2011. On 30 January 2013, Zvartnots airport was named "Best Airport In the CIS" during the Emerging Markets Airports Award ceremonies held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Overview
The airport is able to accept aircraft up to and including the Antonov An-225, Boeing 747-400 and Airbus A380. Runway 09 is equipped with an ILS CAT II, which enables aircraft operations in low ceiling and visibility. Zvartnots International Airport recently implemented a new flight information display system, a new automated and biometric-identification system for baggage check-in and passenger control, as well as the installation of 150 surveillance cameras across airport premises. The access to the boarding area is highly secured with 3 steps, a pre-control, a passport control, and X-ray control. The airport features a Dufryduty-free shop after security, as well as the Converse Bank business class lounge, with a view overlooking the gate area and apron. In December 2019, yearly passenger flow at Zvartnots International Airport exceeded 3 million passengers for the first time in Armenia's history.
Airlines and destinations
Passenger
Cargo
Traffic and statistics
Annual statistics
Annual passenger numbers (millions)
Ground transportation
In 2019, Zvartnots airport partnered with Yandex.Taxi, to provide passengers reliable taxi services from the airport. In 2017 a new bus service was started, with regular round trips between Zvartnots Airport and downtown Yerevan. The leaves the airport every half hour between 7 AM and 11 PM, and every hour on the hour outside these times. The travel time is approximately 30 minutes, depending on traffic. Operated by Elitebus, a one-way fare costs 300 dram. The terminus is on Amiryan st, but the bus also along Mashtots Avenue, at the Yeritasardakan station where passengers can connect to the Yerevan Metro system, and at the Republic Square.
