The President was told about the benefits of the new terminal and its advanced security systems. He was shown how the Dozor (Watch) innovative X-ray security system works. Developed using Russian technologies, Dozor is capable of scanning large items.
Construction of the airport began in 1952. A runway and terminal were built by 1957. In 1994, the airport received international status. Its comprehensive reconstruction started in 2014. The second, 2,800-metre long runway was built andICAO category II weather equipment installed, allowing aircraft to continue using the runway in adverse weather conditions. The new two-story Terminal C for international flights was opened on August 10, 2016.
The plan for the airport’s further expansion for the 2018 FIFA World Cup include launching an aeroexpress – a comfortable electric train that connects it with the city, rebuilding the old domestic flight terminal and creating additional parking space for 20 aircraft. Under the plan, the airport’s capacity is to reach the FIFA requirement of 1,450 people an hour by 2018.