Gyumri Shirak International Airport

Gyumri Shirak International Airport[1]
Գյումրի Շիրակ Միջազգային Oդանավակայան[1]
Summary
Airport typeInternational / military
OwnerGeneral Department of Civil Aviation of Armenia
OperatorArmenia International Airports CJSC
ServesGyumri
LocationGyumri, Shirak Province, Armenia
Opened1961 (1961)
Elevation AMSL5,000 ft / 1,524 m
Coordinates40°45′01″N 43°51′33″E / 40.75028°N 43.85917°E / 40.75028; 43.85917
WebsiteShirak Airport
Map
LWN is located in Armenia
LWN
LWN
Location of airport in Armenia
LWN is located in Europe
LWN
LWN
LWN (Europe)
LWN is located in West and Central Asia
LWN
LWN
LWN (West and Central Asia)
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
02/20 10,564 3,220 Asphalt
Statistics (2025)
Total passengers138,399 Increase 32.4%
Aircraft movements858 Increase 23.4%
Source: CAAP[2] Civil Aviation Committee of Armenia[3]

Gyumri Shirak International Airport (Armenian: Գյումրի Շիրակ Միջազգային Oդանավակայան, romanized: Gyumri Shirak Mijazgayin Odanavakayan) (IATA: LWN, ICAO: UDSG) is an international airport serving Gyumri and the Shirak Province in northwestern Armenia. Located 7 km (4.5 mi) from the center of Gyumri and approximately 120 km (75 mi) from the capital, Yerevan, it is the second-largest airport in the country[4]. It is operated by Armenia International Airports CJSC, a subsidiary of the Argentine company Corporación América.

The airport functions as a joint-use facility[5], serving as a vital base for the Armenian Air Force while providing commercial services. In recent years, Shirak has been positioned as a strategic relief airport for Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport.

First inaugurated in 1961, the airport has undergone a series of significant modernizations. Following a major $7.5 million investment in 2021[6], the facility saw its runway fully resurfaced and a new arrivals terminal built, tripling its annual passenger capacity to 700,000[7]. As of 2025, the airport has seen record growth, playing a key role in the decentralization of Armenia's aviation sector.

History

Soviet foundation and architectural development (1961–1987)

Shirak Airport was inaugurated in 1961 to serve the northern regions of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic. For its first two decades, it operated as a regional airfield with limited facilities. In 1982, a new modernist terminal was completed, designed by renowned architects Levon Christophorian and Ruben Hasratyan. The design was part of a broader Soviet-era effort to provide Gyumri (then Leninakan) with an infrastructure capable of handling increased regional traffic and military logistics.

Earthquake and civil stagnation (1988–2003)

Following the catastrophic 1988 Armenian earthquake, the airport became a critical lifeline for international aid and rescue operations. However, the resulting structural damage and the subsequent economic collapse during the early years of Armenian independence left the facility largely inoperable for civilian use. Throughout the 1990s, the airport's role was almost exclusively limited to military operations by the Armenian Air Force.

Privatization and initial recovery (2004–2018)

A turning point occurred in 2004 when the airport was partially renewed to restore civil operations. Armenia felt the importance of having a second airport, when adverse weather conditions meant that many flights had to be diverted from Yerevan's Zvartnots International Airport into Gyumri's Shirak Airport. In 2007, management was transferred to Armenia International Airports CJSC under a 30-year concession agreement[8].

  • Infrastructure leap: In 2006, the airport installed advanced radar systems with a 400 km radius.
  • Technical standards: By 2007, the runway was completely re-asphalted, and a Finnish IDMAN light-signal system was integrated.
  • Licensing: That same year, the General Department of Civil Aviation of Armenia granted it an ICAO First Class Airport license.

The COVID-19 era and failed Ryanair entry (2020)

In early 2020, Shirak was poised for its biggest international expansion with the arrival of Ryanair. The airline planned to launch twice-weekly flights to Athens and Memmingen (Germany) starting in March and May 2020[9].

  • Cancellations: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent state of emergency declared on 16 March 2020, Ryanair suspended all Armenian operations[10].
  • Market exit: While initially framed as a temporary suspension, the airline never resumed its Gyumri routes, officially exiting the Armenian market in late 2020 due to pandemic-related volatility[11].

Modernization and growth (2021–Present)

The 2020s marked the "rebirth" of Shirak as a low-cost carrier hub. Driven by the need to decentralize traffic from Yerevan, the operator launched a major modernization program.

  • Capacity expansion: On 16 September 2021, a new arrivals hall was inaugurated, tripling the airport's annual capacity to 700,000 passengers[12].
  • Runway upgrades: A $6 million investment saw the 3,220-meter runway fully resurfaced to accommodate larger aircraft like the Airbus A321 and Boeing 737-800.
  • Recent statistics: In 2025, passenger traffic at Shirak Airport increased by 32.4% year-on-year, contributing significantly to Armenia's record 5.7 million total air passengers[13]. Construction on a new, expanded departures area was finalized in late 2024 to support this growth.

Overview

Entrance to the main terminal

Runway 02 is equipped with an ILS CAT I, enabling aircraft operations in low ceiling (60 meters) and visibility (800 meters).[14] The airport is also equipped with a new air traffic control tower and a boiler room, as well as a new arrivals area including five passport control booths and an additional baggage carousel. The airport features a Avolta duty-free shop after security in the departures area. Runway resurfacing works were completed on 16 September 2021, as part of a large-scale modernisation program for the airport.

The airport also serves as an airbase for the Armenian Air Force, which has a large maintenance and operations base with several combat and training aircraft stationed at the north-east of the airfield.

Arrivals area

Airlines and destinations

AirlinesDestinations
FlyOne Armenia Sochi[15]

<!— —>

Wizz Air Larnaca[16]

Statistics

PassengersYear030,00060,00090,000120,000150,000180,00020052010201520202025PassengersAnnual passenger traffic

Annual statistics

Ground Transportation

Automobile

The airport is accessed via the M1 North-South Road Corridor and the M7 highway, which serves as a primary artery connecting Gyumri to the western border. By car, the distance from Shirak Airport to the center of Gyumri is 7 kilometers (4.5 mi), with a typical travel time of approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

At Shirak Airport, vehicles from international and local car rental companies are available for arriving passengers. The airport features a dedicated parking area located directly in front of the terminal building, providing short-term and long-term options for travelers and visitors – both free of charge.

Public Transport

Seasonal shuttle buses connect the airport to Gyumri city center and the railway station, timed with flight arrivals.

See also

  • Transport in Armenia
  • List of the busiest airports in Armenia
  • List of the busiest airports in the former USSR

References

  1. ^ a b "Gyumri Shirak Airport". worldairportcodes. ICAO. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Corporación América Airports S.A. Reports December 2025 Passenger Traffic" (PDF). Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  3. ^ "Passenger flow information". 15 January 2026. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  4. ^ "Հայաստանի Հանրապետության քաղաքացիական ավիացիայի կոմիտե". www.aviation.am. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007.
  5. ^ "Operation of Gyumri's Shirak airport to be suspended for renovation work". Armenia Public Radio. 3 June 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  6. ^ "Gyumri airport under major reconstruction". ARMENPRESS News Agency. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  7. ^ "Gyumri's Shirak International Airport to be fully renovated by September". Civilnet. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  8. ^ "Large-scale construction works take place in Gyumri "Shirak" Airport". News.am. 4 October 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
  9. ^ "Ryanair's first Armenia 2020 flights take off from Yerevan". Aravot Newspaper. 15 January 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  10. ^ "Daily Armenia: Ryanair Suspends Flights to Armenia, Race Begins for COVID-19 Vaccine". 11 March 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  11. ^ "Daily Armenia: Ryanair Suspends Flights to Armenia, Race Begins for COVID-19 Vaccine". 7 December 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  12. ^ "New arrival hall of Gyumri's Shirak airport inaugurated". Armenia Public Radio. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  13. ^ "Armenia's airports served 5.7 million passengers in 2025: Shirak Airport traffic increased by 32.4%". ARKA News Agency. 18 March 2026. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  14. ^ "armats". www.armats.com. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2010.
  15. ^ "Flyone Armenia to launch weekly Gyumri–Sochi flights". armenpress.am. ARMENPRESS News Agency. 23 April 2026. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  16. ^ "Wizz Air launches flights connecting Larnaca and Gyumri". arka.am. ARKA News Agency. 26 August 2025. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
  17. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 31 May 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) General Department of Civil Aviation of Armenia - 2005-2006 Statistics
  18. ^ a b "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 31 May 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) General Department of Civil Aviation of Armenia - 2006-2007 Statistics
  19. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 31 May 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) General Department of Civil Aviation of Armenia - 2008-2009 Statistics
  20. ^ "Statistics". Civil Aviation Committee of Armenia. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  21. ^ ""Շիրակով" մեկնածները եկածներից ավելի շատ են եղել այնքան, որքան Սիսիանի բնակչությունն է". 4 February 2022.
  22. ^ ""Գյումրու «Շիրակ» օդանավակայանը կրկին ստվերում է մնացել". 26 January 2023.
  23. ^ ""«Շիրակ» օդանավակայանի ուղեւորահոսքն աճել է 95 %-ով, բայց 100 հազարի էլ չի հասել". 8 March 2024.
  24. ^ ""2023-ի համեմատ 2024-ին «Շիրակում» ուղեւորահոսքն աճել է 10,3 %-ով". 13 January 2025.
  25. ^ "«Շիրակ» օդանավակայանը նախորդ տարի ամենամեծ ուղեւորահոսքն է ունեցել 2019-ից ի վեր". 20 January 2026.

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