Translated material
Not just takeoff and landing
Domodedovo increases the share of non-aviation revenues
Domodedovo Airport has taken first place in Russia not only in terms of air passenger traffic, but also in terms of the level of non-core (non-aviation) income. Dmitry Kamenshchik, chairman of the board of directors of the East Line group, which manages Domodedovo , told a press conference yesterday that non-aviation sources bring in 60% of the airport's revenue. By the end of 2007, the airport plans to serve 18.5 million passengers.According to this indicator, Domodedovo is a leader both in Russia and in Europe in general. Mikhail Vasilenko, general director of Russia's second largest civilian airport, Sheremetyevo, reported in August of this year that in 2007, 30% of its revenue came from non-aviation sources, and promised that in 2008 this figure would rise to 40%. (Sheremetyevo served 12.7 million passengers in 2006, and by the end of this year it should handle 14 million travelers.)
Mr. Kamenshchik said that in 2008 the East Line group intends to invest $250 million in the development of the airport, which corresponds to the average annual investment in Domodedovo. “It will be our own and borrowed funds,” he said.
At the beginning of next year in Domodedovo it is planned to complete the reconstruction of the first runway (runway), and then begin the reconstruction of the second runway. (There are three runways in Domodedovo, two of which can be used simultaneously.)
The airport terminal expansion project is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2008. The long-term development plan for the airport envisages that a multi-level car parking and a hotel will subsequently appear in front of this building. Both objects will be connected to the main building by pedestrian galleries. The hotel will have direct access to the airport transit area. That is, some of its rooms will be able to accommodate foreigners who do not have Russian visas and are transiting through Russia to third countries.
Mr. Kamenshchik said that, in his opinion, the Domodedovo hotel should have about 500 rooms and a five-star level of comfort. He, however, made a reservation that one of the major international hotel operators would be involved in implementing this project, and the final appearance of the hotel would be formed together with this future partner.
In addition to the main passenger terminal and related facilities in Domodedovo, in the coming years it is planned to develop two more key zones: cargo and intended to serve business aviation.
The existing cargo capacity will be expanded, Mr. Kamenshchik said, through the construction of the so-called Cargo Village in the western part of the airport complex. The need to create such a mechanized loading, unloading and storage area, according to him, is dictated by the increase in flights of regular cargo air carriers to Domodedovo.
The new business aviation terminal is planned to be located in the western part of the airport complex. A separate air terminal and aircraft parking will be built for it.