Pulkovo International Airport is one of the largest airports in Russia. It is situated in Saint Petersburg city. Petersburg city has 42 islands spread on the Neva river on the coast of the Baltic Sea. This airport has built a new main terminal increasing its passenger capacity to 17 million.
The airport was upgraded to a “C” category by the IATA. It became one of the most prominent airports in the region.
The project was regarded as one of the most developed airports in Europe by the ACI. It features a variety of facilities such as a hotel, air space, and closed parking spaces.
Construction
On June 24, 1932, Pulkovo Airport had its formal opening as a state-owned domestic airport. 16,125,520 passengers traveled through the airport in 2017, marking a 21.6% increase over 2016. As a result, Pulkovo is now the fourth-busiest airport in both Russia and the former Soviet Union. Moreover, it is one of the biggest airports in Eastern Europe and Russia is Pulkovo. Construction on an airport in Leningrad began in January 1931 and was finished on June 24, 1932. The first aircraft arrived carrying passengers and mail after a two-and-a-half-hour journey from Moscow The first name of this airport was Shosseynaya Airport after the neighboring Shosseynaya railway station. Soon after, frequent flights to Petrozavodsk, Pudozh, Arkhangelsk, and Murmansk began leaving from the airport.
Pulkovo international airport Construction
A new terminal foundation was installed in 1936. New G-2s and PS-84s were also delivered to Leningrad’s airfield. Once a mixed passenger-mail route, a new, entirely commercial passenger route was established between Moscow and Leningrad in 1941. From 1937 and 1941, the new terminal’s construction expanded. Further, Aleksandr Ivanovich Gegello and N.E. Lansere were the terminal’s architects for its new three-story structure.
Nazi Germany invasion
However, due to Nazi Germany invading the USSR on June 22, 1941, construction was unexpectedly interrupted in July 1941. During the German Siege of Leningrad, the airfield served as the front line. Throughout the years 1941 through 1944, there were no flights in this airport.
Nazi Germany invasion of Russia
Also, the surrounding Pulkovo hills were seized by the Germans, who often bombarded Leningrad with long-range artillery fire. The airport restarted freight and postal flights in 1945 after the runways were restored and the Germans were driven out in January 1944. When the damage had been fully fixed, the airport started operating regular passenger flights in February 1948. At the time, there were 15 scheduled long-distance flights inside western Russia. In addition, there were 15 short-distance flights to important Soviet cities in 1949. Shosseynaya Airport had 6,305 passengers, 333 tons of mail, and 708 tons of cargo in 1949.
After 2007
A new construction agreement was given to Grimshaw Architects in 2007. A group known as NCG (Northern Capital Gateway), comprised of the Russian VTB Capital Bank, the international Fraport AG Company, and the Greek Copelouzos Group, was established in 2009 in response to a request from the Saint Petersburg Transportation Ministry for the establishment of an operating company for Pulkovo Airport. The bidding for a 30-year operational lease of Pulkovo Airport was won by NCG on April 29, 2010. Further, Vladimir Putin, the prime minister of Russia, was present at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new, 150,000 m2 Terminal 1 on November 24, 2010.
Pulkovo international airport constructions after 2007
Up to a 75% rise in passenger numbers is predicted starting in 2020, which would result in significant growth in the number of destinations. This comes after a five-year trial arrangement that allowed non-Russian airlines to run flights into the airport under an OpenSkies/Seventh-freedom traffic right. Moreover, the testing comes after a relaxation of visa rules for many European citizens intending to go to the St. Petersburg region to boost tourism to the city via the airport.
Terminals
Pulkovo 1
Its 43,000 m2 historic terminal was first constructed in 1973. It was designed to accommodate 6,500,000 people a year, but by 2008, it had reached its capacity. All passenger flights, both local and international, currently depart from this terminal following the completion of its refurbishment in 2014. It offers several duty-free stores, dining options, and six jet bridges. According to a projection, Pulkovo Airport’s capacity will expand to 17,000,000 people yearly if the restoration of Pulkovo 1 is complete.
Pulkovo 1
Terminal 1
After some delays, Terminal 1 successfully started in 2010. More than 5,200 Saint Petersburg people took part in the airport error testing in November 2013. The new Terminal 1 opened on December 3, 2013. On February 14, 2014, the old Pulkovo 1 and Pulkovo 2 terminals were shut down. Also, all activities were moved to the new terminal. The new airport has several business lounges, dining options, and pharmacies.
Architecture
Pulkovo International Airport is not only known for its busyness and size but also for its amazing architecture.
The entrance structure, which was shaped according to the extreme climate variance, protects travelers from chilly temperatures with its stunning roof and exterior.
The mostly flat roof, which is made up of twelve 18-meter-wide bays, is designed to distribute snow loads equally. Moreover, It is punctured by steep, inverted prisms that extend over the roof datum. This special structure helps to drain meltwater. The prisms inside the building operate as enormous roof lights, bringing illumination inside the structure even in the dead of winter, illuminating the huge, towering terminal.
Pulkovo international airport Architecture
The soffit’s faceted geometry and crystalline patterns on its surfaces are reminiscent of the pitched roofs of St. Petersburg. Its gilded exterior refers to the city’s golden spires and domes while reflecting a warm tone within.
Each year, more than 12 million travelers pass through the airport, which is designed to facilitate easy movement through the structure. This advancement in Pulkovo International Airport is a quantum leap, which is easily competing with the best airports in the world. According to Grimshaw Project Partner Mark Middleton St. Petersburg’s future is promising. Moreover, Pulkovo will develop into a significant center that attracts trade from Asia and Eastern Europe.
Parking and Shopping
Talking about the parking facilities, there are possibilities for outside parking. Don’t forget that there are plenty of public transit options available to get you to and from St. Petersburg Pulkovo Airport. So, you may choose to leave your car at home.
Parking and Shopping
Also, we recommend you to go to Duty-Free shops, which are boutiques where you can buy tax-free goods at really low costs. You may read all the details about this Duty-Free shop in this Russian airport on their website. So, reap the benefits of the Duty-Free shops at the airport in St. Petersburg and don’t pass up the chance to purchase goods in Russia without paying taxes.
Up to 8 stores, all at Terminal 1, are where you may purchase things from well-known names without paying sales tax. Also, the St. Petersburg airport offers a variety of retail alternatives, including the Duty-Free Store St. Petersburg, Express Shop, Hudson, Michael Kors Boutique, Atelier, and Collection stores. You may shop for clothes, food, cosmetics, and fragrances at the duty-free shops in the international airport of Pulkovo.
