New Sochi Airport terminal tested before opening to Olympics athletes and fans

Bazel Aero Inc., which is part of the major Russian industrial group Bazovy Element, has tested a new Sochi Airport terminal built especially to cater to athletes and organized fan groups during this year’s Winter Olympics.

Sochi Airport’s temporary Terminal D, which will operate during the 2014 Winter Olympics, has a capacity of 420 passengers per hour

“The tests have shown that Terminal D is ready for servicing the Games’ participants and guests,” the company said in a press release. According to Bazel Aero CEO Leonid Sergeyev, the terminal will be operating to capacity during the Olympics.

Sochi Airport’s temporary Terminal D, which will operate during the 2014 Winter Olympics, has a capacity of 420 passengers per hour and occupies an area of some 2,600 square meters on aggregate.

“There are plans to use it for servicing athletes and fan groups during the Olympics,” the press release reads. “With this purpose in mind, customs and border control areas have been set up at the terminal, along with four check-in stands and 46 passport control booths.”

The opening of the additional terminal is a new stage in the development of the Sochi Airport and its traffic capacity, which is one of the International Olympic Committee’s requirements. On peak days, when most of the Olympics athletes and guests are expected to arrive, the airport will be able to service up to 52,000 passengers a day, officials say.

A passenger flow optimization scheme has been developed at the Sochi Airport especially for the 2014 Olympics. There are three terminals — A, B and C — operating in the main airport zone on a permanent basis. Terminal A is reserved for Aeroflot and S7 flights; Terminal B services domestic flights of other operators; Terminal C, international flights.