Good year in 1999 for Domodedovo Airport and East Line promises more to come

Published: 1/25/2000

At a press-briefing on its 1999 results, Sergei Rudakov, director for airport programs with East Line group, said that Moscow"s Dododedovo Airport, controlled by East Line since it was denationalized two years ago, saw a 8% rise in volumes during 1999. Serving on average, 90 passenger and cargo flights a day, Domodedovo"s share of Moscow"s air cargo and passenger traffic was 46% and 27% respectively, raising the airport"s turnover in 1999 to nearly $200 million. Of the 120 airlines flying to Domodedovo 47 are scheduled and in 1999 flew nearly 30000 flights to and from the airport, a 6% increase on 1998 and carrying 4,200,000 passengers up *% on 1998. Cargo volumes were up by 15% at 120,000 tonnes for the year. According to Rudakov, the increase in traffic was attributable to the group"s heavy investment in the airport. In 1995-97 East Line constructed two new two cargo terminals worth $25 million capable of handling 800 tonnes of cargo a day. In 1998 East Line also invested $13 million in Domodedovo's on-board food facility, and $16 million in an aircrew hotel. Underway currently is a major reconstruction project worth $90 million, doubling the floor area of the terminal by the addition of two wings and will be completed in the middle of March according to East Line. The international area of the terminal will be fully open in June, making it according to Rudakov, the most modern in Russia. He is looking for the improvements to increase traffic by as much as 20-30%, particularly when the motorway with central Moscow is completed in February and the newly refurbished rail link benefits from the recently introduced non-stop train connection with the Paveletsky station in Moscow. As a result of the changes and high cost elsewhere in Moscow, the airport has attracted a number of new carriers including domestic airlines GUAP Pulkovo, Atlant-Soyuz and Dobrolyet. The airport is also very enthusiastic about the potential for international carriers when the international facilities are opened and Rudakov reports that negotiations are under way with a number of carriers including Swissair and British Airways attracted by the airport"s available slots and lower costs.

Article ID: 1350