Minsk National Airport

Minsk National Airport (Template:Langx, {{#invoke:IPA|main}}; Template:Langx) Template:Airport codes, formerly known as Minsk-2, is the main international airport in Belarus, located 42 km (26 mi) to the east of the capital Minsk. It geographically lies in the territory of Smalyavichy Raion but is administratively subordinated to the Kastrychnitski District of Minsk. The airport serves as hub of the Belarusian flag carrier Belavia and the cargo carriers TAE Avia,<ref name="ch-aviation">ch-aviation.com - TAE Avia retrieved 9 April 2022</ref> Genex,<ref>ch-aviation.com - Genex retrieved 9 April 2022</ref> and Rubystar Airways.<ref>ch-aviation.com - Rubystar Airways retrieved 9 April 2022</ref>

History

Early years

Construction of Minsk-2 airport began in 1977. In 1979, a new runway Template:Cvt long and Template:Cvt wide became operational. By 1981, the Minsk-2 aerodrome was able to handle aircraft and the airport opened in 1982. The first passenger flight was operated with a Tupolev Tu-134.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 1 July 1983, the Second Joint Aviation Division of Minsk was established in accordance with the decision of the Ministry of Civil Aviation of USSR. This date is considered as the airport foundation day.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Development since the 1990s

Regular flights began in 1983; by 1990 passenger traffic reached 2.2 million passengers. From 1991, the number of flights began to decline due to the dissolution of the Soviet Union and other consequent changes. By 1997, the number of the passengers was 516,000, in 1998 – 480,000, in 2000 – only 400,000 passengers. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the first million passengers were handled by Minsk National Airport in 2008. Due to the substantial growth in passenger traffic, 2008 became a significant mark for the airport.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In May 2019, a second runway, 13L/31R was opened.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2020, the growth was stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Additionally from May 2021 all Belarusian airlines, mainly Belavia, have been banned from operating into the European Union as part of newly established sanctions after the Ryanair Flight 4978 incident.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Likewise, several European airlines cancelled their Minsk services over the conflict, e.g., Lufthansa.<ref>hessenschau.de (German) 25 May 2021</ref>

On 9 August 2021, the US added the airport director Vyacheslav Khoroneko to the SDN list.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Role in the 2021 border crisis

In 2021, the airport became a major hub for illegal migration to the European Union.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It was reported that several fly-by-night companies and two travel agencies got full access to the international zone of the airport and started to offer agent services for arrived migrants issuing visas on arrival. It was noted that these companies enjoyed the patronage of the airport staff and authorities, while other travel agencies were not allowed to provide similar services for real tourists.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The situation also affected airlines serving Belarus. Due to ongoing crisis Cham Wings Airlines terminated their flights from Damascus on short notice, stating they cannot distinguish between regular travellers and illegal migrants.<ref>spiegel.de - Syrian airline ends flights to Minsk (German) 13 November 2021</ref> In the same time, Turkish Airlines amongst others stopped selling tickets to Minsk to passengers with certain nationalities, e. g. from Yemen and Iraq after the European Union threatened sanctions against airlines which (unknowingly) participate in illegal migration.<ref>faz.net - "Turkish Airlines cooperates with the EU" (German) 12 November 2021</ref> Belavia has also ceased ticket sales to certain nationals for flights from Turkish airports to Belarus upon the Turkish government's decision to support the European Union regarding the recent events.<ref>haberturk.com - "Belavia, Türkiye’den Belarus’a Irak, Suriye ve Yemen vatandaşlarını taşımayacak" (Turkish) 14 November 2021</ref> The same applies to all flights from Uzbekistan and Dubai, whose governments announced similar guidelines.<ref>belavia.by - Belavia news 14 November 2021</ref><ref>belavia.by - Belavia news 18 November 2021</ref>

Terminal

File:EW-437PA Boeing 737-8K5 Belavia boarding at MSQ.jpg

Boeing 737 boarding at MSQ

Minsk National Airport consists of one slightly-curved, four-story passenger terminal building originally built in the style of brutalist architecture, which has since been modernized and expanded. The ground floor features the arrivals area while the second floor consists of the check-in hall with 43 counters and 13 departure gates, some of which are equipped with jet bridges. The airside area features the usual duty free shops, an airport lounge, and other passenger amenities as well as a Burger King franchise. The first and third floors are mainly used for administration and maintenance.<ref>airport.by - Airport Map retrieved 16 October 2021</ref>

Airlines and destinations

Many airlines have suspended flights to Minsk due to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. The following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter flights to and from Minsk:<ref>airport.by - Season Timetable Template:Webarchive retrieved 16 October 2021</ref>

Statistics

citation

CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Passengers	Change from previous year	Aircraft operations	Change from previous year	Cargo (metric tons)	Change from previous year
2005	559,114	Template:Increase10.86%	5,456	Template:Increase Template:02.83%	Template:05,488	Template:IncreaseTemplate:04.29%
2006	637,560	Template:Increase14.03%	6,144	Template:Increase12.61%	Template:06,059	Template:Increase10.40%
2007	830,481	Template:Increase30.26%	7,590	Template:Increase23.54%	Template:07,290	Template:Increase20.32%
2008	1,010,695	Template:Increase21.70%	9,256	Template:Increase21.95%	Template:07,870	Template:IncreaseTemplate:07.96%
2009	1,028,886	Template:IncreaseTemplate:01.80%	9,341	Template:IncreaseTemplate:00.92%	Template:07,289	Template:DecreaseTemplate:07.38%
2010	1,285,423	Template:Increase24.93%	11,020	Template:Increase17.97%	Template:08,553	Template:Increase17.34%
2011	1,437,825	Template:Increase11.86%	13,686	Template:Increase24.19%	Template:08,667	Template:IncreaseTemplate:01.33%
2012	1,837,911	Template:Increase27.83%	14,947	Template:IncreaseTemplate:09.27%	Template:09,833	Template:Increase13.45%
2013	2,182,177	Template:Increase18.73%	16,586	Template:Increase11.00%	10,477	Template:IncreaseTemplate:06.55%
2014	2,593,559	Template:Increase18.90%	20,036	Template:Increase20.90%	19,905	Template:Increase89.99%
2015	2,782,866	Template:IncreaseTemplate:07.30%	20,365	Template:IncreaseTemplate:01.64%	16,509	Template:Decrease17.10%
2016	3,429,122	Template:Increase23.20%	23,034	Template:Increase13.10%	17,460	Template:IncreaseTemplate:05.76%
2017	4,114,512	Template:Increase20.00%	24,508	Template:IncreaseTemplate:06.40%	18,465	Template:IncreaseTemplate:05.75%
2018	4,536,618	Template:Increase10.30%	26 082	Template:IncreaseTemplate:06.60%	20,217	Template:Increase10.60%
2019	5,101,766	Template:Increase12.50%	28,417	Template:Increase Template:08.90%	N.D.	N.D.
2020	1,939,192	Template:Decrease62.00%	13,292	Template:Decrease 53.20%	N.D.	N.D.
2022	~2,065,000<ref name=":3"/>
2023	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || Template:Rise 20% || || || ||
Source: Airports Council International. World Airport Traffic Reports (Years 2005,<ref name="2005 WATR">Airport Council International's 2005 World Airport Traffic Report</ref> 2006,<ref name="2006 WATR">Airport Council International's 2006 World Airport Traffic Report</ref> 2007,<ref name="2007 WATR">Airport Council International's 2007 World Airport Traffic Report</ref> 2009,<ref name="2009 WATR">Airport Council International Template:Webarchive's 2009 World Airport Traffic Report</ref> 2011,<ref name="2011 WATR">Airport Council International's 2011 World Airport Traffic Report</ref> 2012,<ref name="2012 WATR">Airport Council International's 2012 World Airport Traffic Report</ref> 2013,<ref name="2013 WATR">Airport Council International's 2013 World Airport Traffic Report</ref> and 2014<ref name="2014 WATR">Airport Council International Template:Webarchive's 2014 World Airport Traffic Report</ref>); Official website<ref name="Ostats" /><ref name="MSQ 2020 Results">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation							CitationClass=web }}</ref> (Years 2015--2020).

Ground transportation

Minsk National Airport overpass

The airport is located 42 km (26 mi) east of Minsk, and is linked with the city with a toll-free (for non-BY registered cars) highway. Free short term parking is available in front of the terminal. Minsk National Airport is linked to the capital by the M2 motorway. Bus, train, taxi and parking services are provided.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The airport is served by buses 300Э and 173Э departing from Centralny bus station. From the airport to Minsk, shuttle bus 1400-TK and 1430-ТК operates.<ref>Общественный транспорт</ref>

Railway

From November 7, 2014<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> to April 6, 2017, a railway connection operated. The railway platform was within walking distance of the terminal, but free shuttle buses transported passengers from the train to the terminal. On the route from Minsk to the airport, the train made one intermediate stop at the Smalyavichy station to change its direction.

In April 2017, due to the construction of the second runway, the existing stopping point Minsk National Airport was dismantled — as of April 7, diesel train service was suspended indefinitely. Initially, it was planned to shorten the route to the nearby Šemietava station and transfer passengers from the diesel train to buses there,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> but eventually, the decision was made to cancel the train service altogether.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Incidents and accidents

• On 1 February 1985, Aeroflot Flight 7841, a Tupolev Tu-134AK operated by Aeroflot with registration number CCCP-65910 en route to Leningrad Pulkovo airport, crashed into the forest shortly after takeoff, killing 55 out of 73 passengers and three out of seven crew members on board.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• On 6 September 2003, an aircraft Tu-154 operated by an Iranian airline Kish Air hit trees in heavy fog as it was on approach en route from Tehran to Copenhagen. None of the 38 passengers and 4 crew members on board were injured.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• On 26 October 2009, a BAe 125 executive jet RA-02807 crashed on approach to Minsk National Airport. All three crew and both passengers died.<ref name=ASN261009>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• On 23 May 2021, Ryanair Flight 4978, operated using a Boeing 737-8AS with 171 passengers on board, traveling in Belarusian airspace en route from Athens to Vilnius, was intercepted by a Belarusian MiG-29 just before it reached Lithuanian airspace. The MiG forced the plane to land at Minsk National Airport. Upon landing, the Belarusian KGB arrested two of the passengers, opposition activist Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend Sofia Sapega. The other passengers were allowed to reboard the plane to depart for Vilnius after seven hours.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

See also

• List of the busiest airports in the former USSR

External links

• Template:Official website Template:In lang
• Template:GCM
• Template:NWS-current
• Template:ASN