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Moscow's Star Performer: A Commitment to Meeting Airline and Passenger Needs Translates Into Strong Growth for Domodedovo

2009; De Gruyter; Volume: 46; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

0002-2543

Cathy Buyck,

Aviation Industry Analysis and Trends

Moscow’s Domodedovo (DME) airport has been growing rapidly and enjoyed the largest percentage increase in passengers among Europe’s 40 largest airports. Overall, European airports saw a decrease in passengers of two-tenths of a percent. It now ranks 17th among all European airports, up from 21st in 2007. It has overtaken the longstanding global gateway, Sheremetyevo (SVO). Opened in 1965 as the USSR’s medium- and long-haul domestic airport, it has extremely long runways, originally intended for the short-lived supersonic Tu-144. Runway capacity is 90 takeoffs and landings per hour, and it was Russia’s first airport to be approved for Category F aircraft/A380 operations. Privatized in 1996, it has state ownership of runways, taxiways, and apron, while a private group manages the property under a 75-year lease. The government sets all landing and operating fees, but they are about 30 percent lower than at SVO because all the monies are dedicated to airport operations and are not needed to support other government functions. Among the new developments, United Airlines started nonstop service from Washington Dulles to DME using a 767-300 configured with its new premium cabin. About 70 percent of DME passengers are business travelers. As long-haul carriers focus on premium traffic, DME now has more first class seats than SVO. It emphasizes scheduled services over charter, given its allegiance among business travelers. International throughput accounts for 60 percent of its total, with boardings on these flights up almost 12 percent over 2007, more than twice the increase of domestic passengers. As the Star Alliance Moscow airport, it offers the maximum number of connections for most airlines. More terminals and runways are in the works, as well as development of nearby real estate into hotels and resorts. But terminal expansion is likely to come first.