Sochi Airport marks 100-Day countdown to Winter Olympics

Nov. 1, 2013
Sochi International Airport introduces new cutting-edge technologies and services that will contribute to the unique Olympic welcome for 6,000 athletes and members of the National Olympic Committees as well as spectators and other guests of the Games

Sochi, 30 October 2013 – Basel Aero, a part of Russia’s largest industrial diversified group Basic Element, announces that with 100 days to go until the opening ceremony of the XXII Winter Games, the Sochi International Airport introduces new cutting-edge technologies and services that will contribute to the unique Olympic welcome for 6,000 athletes and members of the National Olympic Committees as well as spectators and other guests of the Games.

October 30th brings the 100-days-to-go milepost to the start of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Russia’s Sochi. The Sochi International Airport, the host Airport for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games, is pulling out all the stops to ensure smooth operations during the arrivals and departures of the Games’ participants and guests.

As of now, 95% of the airport’s Olympic infrastructure has been put into operation. There is an advanced 6,000-sq.m boarding gallery that features 10 boarding bridges ensuring a comfortable access to the aircraft.

VIP Terminal with a total area of 4,000-sq.m and handling capacity of 80 passengers per hour was opened in a soft mode in late September. The terminal boasting a parking lot with 35 parking spaces, a dedicated entrance/exit road and a site for motorcades, will host IOC delegates and other high-profile guests at the Winter Olympics. There will also be a 12-stand ramp for business jets near the terminal.

A specially designed temporary Games Terminal adjacent to the airport’s building, will serve athletes and organized fan groups. A 2,600-sq.m facility has a handling capacity of 420 passengers per hour, it will help to divert thousands of people from the main terminals and will significantly relieve baggage system as the athletes will receive their luggage in the Games Terminal. The facility will be fully equipped with all the necessary engineering systems by the end of 2013.

The Sochi airport will be divided into three sectors to optimize passenger traffic during the busiest days. Sector A will serve Aeroflot and S7 airlines while sectors B and C will be dedicated to other domestic carriers and international airlines respectively. The entrances and exits from the airport’s building will be separated. Public transport stops and taxi parking area will be located in front of the airport.

The airport itself will be flamboyantly ‘dressed’ for the Games. The banners will be stretched across the terminals and will feature Sochi-2014 Olympic branding with Russia’s traditional patchwork patterns, Olympic mascots and logos of the Games.

In order to increase passenger capacity and minimize the time for serving passengers, a total of 19 check-in counters were installed in the departure lounge. In November 2013, four additional self-check-in terminals will be added to the group of six existing terminals. Each sector of the airport will boast mobile check-in desks where passengers can print out the boarding passes using smartphones.

As the Sochi Airport prioritizes passengers’ security, the number of security equipment and staff will double prior to the Games. Moreover, additional 900 aviation security staff from nine Russian airports will join the airport’s team. Aviation cadets from the St. Petersburg and Ulyanovsk Civil Aviation Universities will also help to manage airport’s Games-time operations.

About Sochi International Airport

The airport, run by Basel Aero, was founded on 10 December, 1945. It is in the top ten Russian airports in terms of the number of passengers handled. During the nine months of 2013, Sochi International Airport served almost 2 mln passengers, 11% more than in the same period last year. About 210,000 passengers were served on international routes (32% more year-over-year) and almost 1.7 mln – on domestic ones (9% more year-over-year). A total of 2,656 tonnes of cargo and mail was processed in January-September. The airport  has been recognized as the best regional airport at the III annual forum “Development of Russia and CIS airports - 2013”, held by Adam Smith Conference.

About Basel Aero

Basel Aero (www.basel.aero), founded in 2007, manages the airport assets of the group "Basic Element".  Since June 2012, it is a joint venture that comprises of "Basic Element", OJSC "Sberbank of Russia" and Changi Airports International (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Changi Airport Group).  The "Basel Aero" includes airports in Krasnodar, Sochi, Gelendzhik and Anapa. Airports serving more than 7% of the total passenger traffic in Russia and about 1.5% of the total cargo traffic. One of the major projects of Basel Aero is preparing International Airport for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games. In January-August 2013 Basel Aero airports served almost 5 mln passengers, 12% more than in the same period in 2012. The development strategy of Basel Aero includes improving operational efficiency of assets and geographic expansion of the business.

About Basic Element

Basic Element (www.basel.ru) is one of the Russia's largest and most dynamic diversified industrial groups. Basic Element's companies are controlled by or are within the scope of business interests of Oleg Deripaska, one of major Russian businessmen. Basic Element through its affiliates owns significant stakes in and operates a number of companies in many segments: Energy, Manufacturing, Financial Services, Construction, Aviation, Agriculture and others. Over 250,000 people work at more than 100 of Group's companies in Russia, the CIS, Africa, Australia, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Many of them play key roles in their respective market segments in Russia and internationally, including En+ Group, GAZ Group, Glavstroy, Basel Aero and others.