ArmInfo.Gyumri Shirak Airport has all the capabilities to serve European budget flights. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Suren Papikyan during his participation in the opening ceremony of the reconstructed arrival hall of the Shirak Airport.
Previously, the area of the airport arrival hall was 400 square meters, which did not meet the standards and created inconvenience for passengers. Now the area has more than doubled, amounting to 870 sq. m., where there are 8 passport control cabins and a baggage belt, which will eliminate the previously existing difficulties for passengers and allow servicing one flight within an hour.
In addition, Papikyan got acquainted with the result of repair work on the runway, the length of which reached 3,220 meters, width - 45. The service life of the asphalt pavement is 10 years. The last time renovation work was carried out in 2007. Over 14 years of operation, many cracks and damage have appeared on the runway.
"I believe that the renewed Shirak Airport will become one of the sources for the development of Gyumri and the region," Papikyan said.
It should be reminded that Gyumri Shirak International Airport is located only 5 kilometers from the city center. The city is located in the central part of Armenia, not far from Yerevan, literally 126 kilometers away. The airport was built in 1961. It is the second largest after Zvartnots airport. In 1978-1979, the architects designed a new building, but it was not built until 1982. In 2006, Armenia decided to increase the number of international airports throughout the country. In this regard, the Shirak airport was transferred to the international status. From June 20 to October 20, 2007, renovations were carried out here, as a result of which the airport received updated runways, improved lighting, and the main terminal was also renovated. The airport is capable of receiving aircraft weighing up to 230 tons.
