Zvartnots International Airports in Yerevan plans to double its terminal area over the coming decade via a $500 million investment, CEO Marcelo Wende told Forbes, according to Armenpress.
He said that over the past two years passenger traffic has grown beyond forecasts, now exceeding 5.5 million annually. The existing terminal was designed for 3–4 million passengers, so current capacity is now insufficient, making expansion essential for safety, comfort, and efficiency.
“Our team has worked diligently to adapt through modernizing equipment, expanding training, and hiring new staff; however, current capabilities are under serious pressure,” Wende said. He added that the original terminal was built for just 3–4 million passengers, and so expansion is vital to ensure each traveler’s smooth passage through Armenia’s main air gateway.
He recalled that when his company assumed management in 2001, the airport infrastructure was “aged and nearly on the verge of collapse.”
“When we arrived in 2001, the infrastructure was decrepit and nearly collapsing. We rebuilt it step by step into a modern terminal that served the country well for over a decade,” he said. “Now, to match future growth trends, we plan to double airport capacity in the next 10 years via $500 million investment.”
He said the number of boarding gates will rise from 6 to 16, and arrival halls, immigration, and customs zones will more than double. They will add modern lounges, expand parking, and improve passenger transportation. They also plan to introduce automated digital passport gates and a new biometric passport system to ease travel for Armenian citizens, especially to Europe. Their goal is to secure Armenia’s position as a competitive regional hub.
