Eduard Mikhailovskiy, Murmansk Airport - Аэропорт Мурманск
Release Date: 2009-02-16
As the airport is a gateway to the city and the region, could you give us a short introduction in the history, geography and position of Murmansk region?Apart from its rich history and varied geography, our region is well-stocked in natural resources and has a flourishing business community. Murmansk’s seaport is particularly important for the region’s economy. We have a steamship line with China; and oil shipping is done from the port to the USA and Holland.
Murmansk region is located in the extreme North, bordering our northern neighbors, Norway and Finland. The so-called Barents region has existed for about 15 years uniting some northern countries - Norway, Sweden, Finland - and the Russian regions of Murmansk, Arkhangelsk and Karelia. Murmansk region’s main feature is the non-freezing cargo and fishing port of Murmansk; it is also the Arctic gateway with convoys going along the Arctic Ocean track, expeditions to the North Pole since 1977, commercial North Pole (NP) expeditions and a NP tourist season during the summer. For some reason, tourists mostly come from Japan, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Europe and the USA. We have had some exotic events, like a Saudi millionaire who celebrated his wedding there.
The main natural riches exported from Murmansk region are nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, aluminum, iron ore and fertilizers from the Apatite field. In terms of infrastructure, a railroad to Murmansk was laid in 1914, followed by a seaport.
There is a highway to Saint-Petersburg and two airports - Murmansk and Khibini airport. The Khibini airport only serves minor aircraft. Murmansk airport was constructed in 1976; since 1978 it has been operating according to international standards. Since 1989 the airport has been operating as an international airport. Our biggest capacity in terms of passenger flow was achieved in late 80s - early 90s when the airport used to give service to 1 million passengers yearly. In 2008 we had 403,000 passengers, a 12% increase over 2007.
As a northern airport, Murmansk airport operates during 7 months under winter conditions. There is snow from late September to early October remaining till May, so one of its main peculiarities is its winter maintenance - clearing the runway among other things. Capacity of the runway is limited both in terms of its size and in terms of weight. We receive aircraft weighing up to 150 t (IL-76) followed by Tu-154 and B-737, A-319 and A-320 as well as lower aircraft classes. Our main international flight in winter is Arkhangelsk-Murmansk-Tromsø (Norway); there are 3-4 flights to the North Pole. There is more activity in May when the tourist season starts... Tourists come for fishing from May to October. They arrive with charter flights from London, Helsinki and Stockholm to Murmansk, transfer to helicopters and arrive at river houses constructed 300 km away from Murmansk to stay for one week only. We used to have a wide route geography but now there is mainly the Moscow - Saint-Petersburg route. There are very few flights - five regular flights and three flights to Tromsø. We have also opened new Murmansk-Antalya flights from June to October - so you can leave and arrive wearing shorts!
You have achieved a 12% growth in terms of passenger flow in 2007 over 2006; what about 2008 and opportunities for accommodating rich tourists who expect modern and comfortable facilities?
Tourists account for a minor share. In 2007 there was an increase because Sky Express airlines started operating at our airport and offered low tariffs - that raised the demand for plane tickets and we got more passengers. In total, there were 280,000 passengers in 2006; 360,000 passengers in 2007 and 403,000 passengers in 2008. People liked the affordable prices!
What did you have to change to start working with low-cost airlines?
It was a whole new approach: in 2007, we started using e-ticket system although it was not yet obligatory in Russia. We bought the necessary equipment and started using it. The arrival of Sky Express pushed us to adopt international practices. We also switched to a new settlement system with airlines: a bulk payment for a flight instead of paying for each service separately. We get 50,000-60,000 rubles from each arrival and departure. Such practice simplifies paperwork. Of course, e-tickets required that all our employees learn to work with a new system. When this electronic system became obligatory in 2008, it was not new for us! We also had to upgrade the communication systems and other equipment.
What development strategy do you envisage for the airport? Any significant moves or investments coming in the next years?
In November, 2008 we started to reconstruct the airport, namely the runway - for the first time since 1992. We use drainage systems and plan to lay a new surface. Of course, because of that this year the number of passengers will decrease: the airport will only operate from 21:00 PM to 9:00 AM and from 9:00 AM to 21:00 PM workers will be working on the runway. The reason for this is that historically flights from Saint-Petersburg arrive after 21:00 and fly back in the morning. The only day left with unchanged schedule is Saturday, so all European airlines like FINNAIR have been notified that they can retain the usual Saturday schedule.
When will the works finish?
Not this year because we also plan to replace illumination and signal equipment. Murmansk airport is a budget-subsidized federal airport; the subsidies reach 800 million rubles.
Maybe new airlines will come after all works are finished?
All airlines come when there are passengers to fill up the flights! Besides, many airlines don’t have a reserve airport for emergency cases. So, one of the priorities for Murmansk airport is extension of the runway so that the airport can become a reserve airport - this is our future. Currently there are up to 15 aircraft flying daily along the Murmansk track.
| Company: | Murmansk Airport - Аэропорт Мурманск |
| Position: | General Director |
| Country: | Russian Federation |