Zvartnots Airport Announces $500 Million Expansion, to Install Biometric Passport System

Armenia’s main international gateway, Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan, is preparing for a major expansion as the country’s tourism sector continues to grow at a record pace. The airport’s operator, Armenia International Airports company, announced plans to invest $500 million over the next decade to expand the airport and meet the increasing demand from travelers.

The company, owned by Argentine-Armenian businessman Eduardo Eurnekian, has been managing Zvartnots since 2001. Now, it is moving forward with one of its largest projects yet, aiming to double the size of the airport. The announcement came from the company’s CEO, Marcelo Wenden, in an interview published in a Forbes special edition dedicated to Armenia.

According to Wenden, the number of passengers at Armenia’s airports has surged far beyond earlier forecasts. More than 5.5 million people now travel through the country’s airports annually, even though Zvartnots was originally built to handle only 3 to 4 million passengers per year.

“Our team has worked tirelessly—modernizing equipment, expanding training, and hiring new staff to maintain high service levels—but our current capacities are extremely overloaded. The terminal was designed for only 3–4 million passengers, so expansion is vital to ensure the safety, comfort, and efficiency of every traveler passing through Armenia’s main gateway,” Wenden said.

The ten-year expansion project will transform the airport’s facilities.

“To meet future demand, we plan to double the size of the airport with a $500 million investment. The number of boarding gates will increase from six to sixteen. Arrival halls, passport control, and customs areas will more than double. We will add modern waiting lounges, expand parking, and improve access to public transportation,” Wenden explained.

The company also plans to introduce new technologies to make travel easier. Automated passport control devices and a biometric passport system will be installed, which Wenden said will especially benefit Armenian citizens traveling to Europe.

“Our goal is to strengthen Armenia’s position as a competitive regional hub,” he noted, explaining that the company is working closely with the Armenian government to attract new airlines, launch new routes, and host aviation-related events.

Looking ahead, the airport’s management is also working to expand Armenia’s reach to other parts of the world.

“Flights are also expanding to India, China, and new cities in the Middle East, broadening Armenia’s destination network. We continue negotiations with other airlines to create new connections and make Yerevan an attractive stop for travelers heading to Europe and Asia,” Wenden concluded.

The expansion of Zvartnots International Airport is one of the largest infrastructure investments in Armenia in recent years. Once complete, it is expected to transform the travel experience for millions of passengers and help position the country as a growing hub between Europe and Asia.

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