Airport News

Construction of the new international terminal at Pulkovo Airport in St Petersburg, Russia, has entered its final phases with operational readiness and airport transfer testing now underway.

The new terminal, which is set to welcome its first passengers in January next year, will double annual passenger capacity at Russia’s fourth largest airport from 8.4 million to 17 million.

Pulkovo’s existing terminals have remained open throughout the construction project, which is part of a 30-year public–private partnership (PPP) deal between the Northern Capital Gateway (NCG) consortium and the Government of the Russian Federation.

Under the deal, NCG consortium, which manages the operating activity of Pulkovo Airport, has pledged to build the new international passenger terminal, modernise the current Pulkovo-1 terminal and develop commercial infrastructure.

Consulting and engineering firm Ramboll worked with architects Pascall + Watson to develop phase one of the redevelopment and construction programme, which included operation of the new international terminal as well as airside and landside facilities.

Shonn Mills, director at Ramboll said, “We are very excited to see Pulkovo Airport so close to completion. It has been a fascinating project to work on, and one where we have been able to push the technical boundaries of innovation in Russian aviation.”

The 100,000m² terminal was designed by Grimshaw Architects and features glazed facades with views towards St Petersburg. The terminal also has a long span roof with 25m concrete supporting columns that create space, light and height for passengers.

Temperatures at St Petersburg can range from -30°C to 35°C, therefore Ramboll’s structural engineers tested for wind and snow loads on the building and the terminal roof was designed with a flat external surface to minimise the effect of snow weight.
Russian president Vladimir Putin will visit the site on 26 November and the new terminal will open in December 2013, with all works complete by 2016.