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Minsk National Airport hits three million passenger milestone
MINSK, 10 November (BelTA) – Minsk National Airport has welcomed its three-millionth passenger, Deputy General Director of Minsk National Airport Vasily Kornev told reporters, BelTA has learned.
The three-millionth passenger flew with Belavia from St. Petersburg. Vasily Kornev stressed that this is the first time in the history of the Belarusian civil aviation that the airport has hit three million passenger milestone.
“The three-millionth passenger was selected during the registration in St. Petersburg. Till the last moment, the passenger had no idea of the special welcome ceremony in Minsk,” Vasily Kornev said.
The three-millionth passenger was Violetta Belitskaya, a software engineer from Minsk returning from a business trip to St. Petersburg. “When the plane was landing, the flight attendant announced that the three-millionth passenger is on board and that his name is kept secret. The plane landed and they called out my name,” the girls said.
Violetta Belitskaya said that she often flies on business. “Our airport has changed for the better. It became more beautiful, comfortable and cozy,” she said.
Minsk National Airport gave Violetta Belitskaya a gift certificate for the VIP service upon arrival and departure (for the passenger and her family), a cake from the catering service, flowers and a valuable gift. In addition, she got a gift from the Belavia airline: two tickets for any direct flights from Minsk.
Minsk National Airport hopes to get its four-millionth passenger in two years’ time
MINSK, 10 November (BelTA) – Minsk National Airport hopes to welcome its four-millionth passenger in two years, Deputy Managing Director on Operations at Minsk National Airport Vasily Kornev told media on 10 November, BelTA has learned.
“We can accommodate 5.8 million passengers. When we do this depends on the mobility of our people. We have seen a 22% increase in passenger numbers from the start of the year. If we keep the pace, we will be able to hit the four million passenger milestone in two years’ time,” Vasily Kornev stressed adding that the airport welcomed its one-millionth passenger in 2008 and celebrated its two-millionth passenger in 2013.
Vasily Kornev also commented on today’s ceremony to welcome the three-millionth passenger. In his words, the airport has never reached such results. “Even in the Soviet times we had the maximum of 2.1 million people,” he noted.
The Deputy Managing Director said that after the reconstruction the passenger terminal got more space which also affected the passenger numbers. Moreover, the construction of the airport’s second runway is currently underway. “Cargo transportation will increase once the airport gets its second runway. We will be able to accommodate all types of aircraft. Passenger transportation depends more on the mobility of people, transit and other factors than the availability of the second runway,” he said.
Vasily Kornev also stated that 75% of passengers transported in 2016 were carried by the national airline Belavia.
Minsk National Airport is Belarus’ first international airport that has been certified for compliance with the international standard ISO 9001. The airport is home to the national air carrier Belavia and the cargo carriers Transaviaexport, Rubystar, and Genex. The airport offers flights to over 40 destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and other regions.
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