Minsk National Airport

Today, Minsk National Airport continues to be a topic of great relevance and interest to a wide spectrum of society. Whether it is Minsk National Airport on a personal, professional, political or social level, it is undeniable that its impact is felt in different areas of our lives. Throughout history, Minsk National Airport has been the subject of passionate debate, exhaustive research, and deep reflection. In this article, we will delve into the world of Minsk National Airport to examine its many facets, challenges and opportunities. From its origins to its current state, we will explore how Minsk National Airport has shaped our reality and how it will continue to do so in the future.

For the former airport "Minsk-1", see Minsk-1 Airport.

Minsk National Airport

Нацыянальны аэрапорт Мінск

Национальный аэропорт Минск
Summary
Airport typePublic
ServesMinsk, Belarus
Opened1 July 1983 (1983-07-01)[1]
Hub forBelavia
Time zoneEEST (UTC+03:00)
Elevation AMSL204 m / 669 ft
Coordinates53°52′57″N 28°01′57″E / 53.88250°N 28.03250°E / 53.88250; 28.03250
Websiteairport.by
Map
MSQ/UMMS is located in Belarus
MSQ/UMMS
MSQ/UMMS
Location of airport in Belarus
MSQ/UMMS is located in Europe
MSQ/UMMS
MSQ/UMMS
MSQ/UMMS (Europe)
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
13R/31L 3,641 11,942 Concrete
13L/31R 3,700 12,139 Concrete
Statistics (2023)
Passengers2,497,631
Sources: ACI's 2014 World Airport Traffic Report.

Minsk National Airport (Belarusian: Нацыянальны аэрапорт Мінск, romanized: Natsyyanalny aeraport Minsk, [natsɨjaˈnalʲnɨ aeraˈport mʲinsk]; Russian: Национальный аэропорт Минск) (IATA: MSQ, ICAO: UMMS), formerly known as Minsk-2, is the main international airport in Belarus, located 42 km (26 mi) to the east of the capital Minsk. It geographically lies in the territory of Smalyavichy Raion but is administratively subordinated to the Kastrychnitski District of Minsk. The airport serves as hub of the Belarusian flag carrier Belavia and the cargo carriers TAE Avia,[2] Genex,[3] and Rubystar Airways.[4]

History

Early years

Construction of Minsk-2 airport began in 1977. In 1979, a new runway 3,640 m (11,942 ft 3 in) long and 60 m (196 ft 10 in) wide became operational. By 1981, the Minsk-2 aerodrome was able to handle aircraft and the airport opened in 1982. The first passenger flight was operated with a Tupolev Tu-134.[5]

On 1 July 1983, the Second Joint Aviation Division of Minsk was established in accordance with the decision of the Ministry of Civil Aviation of USSR. This date is considered as the airport foundation day.[6][7]

Development since the 1990s

Regular flights began in 1983; by 1990 passenger traffic reached 2.2 million passengers. From 1991, the number of flights began to decline due to the dissolution of the Soviet Union and other consequent changes. By 1997, the number of the passengers was 516,000, in 1998 – 480,000, in 2000 – only 400,000 passengers. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the first million passengers were handled by Minsk National Airport in 2008. Due to the substantial growth in passenger traffic, 2008 became a significant mark for the airport.[8] In May 2019, a second runway, 13L/31R was opened.[9]

In 2020, the growth was stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Additionally from May 2021 all Belarusian airlines, mainly Belavia, have been banned from operating into the European Union as part of newly established sanctions after the Ryanair Flight 4978 incident.[10] Likewise, several European airlines cancelled their Minsk services over the conflict, e.g., Lufthansa.[11]

On 9 August 2021, the US added the airport director Vyacheslav Khoroneko to the SDN list.[12]

Role in the 2021 border crisis

In 2021, the airport became a major hub for illegal migration to the European Union.[13][14][15] It was reported that several fly-by-night companies and two travel agencies got full access to the international zone of the airport and started to offer agent services for arrived migrants issuing visas on arrival. It was noted that these companies enjoyed the patronage of the airport staff and authorities, while other travel agencies were not allowed to provide similar services for real tourists.[16]

The situation also affected airlines serving Belarus. Due to ongoing crisis Cham Wings Airlines terminated their flights from Damascus on short notice, stating they cannot distinguish between regular travellers and illegal migrants.[17] In the same time, Turkish Airlines amongst others stopped selling tickets to Minsk to passengers with certain nationalities, e. g. from Yemen and Iraq after the European Union threatened sanctions against airlines which (unknowingly) participate in illegal migration.[18] Belavia has also ceased ticket sales to certain nationals for flights from Turkish airports to Belarus upon the Turkish government's decision to support the European Union regarding the recent events.[19] The same applies to all flights from Uzbekistan and Dubai, whose governments announced similar guidelines.[20][21]

Terminal

Boeing 737 boarding at MSQ

Minsk National Airport consists of one slightly-curved, four-story passenger terminal building originally built in the style of brutalist architecture, which has since been modernized and expanded. The ground floor features the arrivals area while the second floor consists of the check-in hall with 43 counters and 13 departure gates, some of which are equipped with jet bridges. The airside area features the usual duty free shops, an airport lounge, and other passenger amenities as well as a Burger King franchise. The first and third floors are mainly used for administration and maintenance.[22]

Airlines and destinations

Many airlines have suspended flights to Minsk due to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. The following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter flights to and from Minsk:[23]

AirlinesDestinations
Aeroflot Moscow–Sheremetyevo[24]
Air China[25] Beijing–Capital, Xi'an[26]
Azimuth Mineralnye Vody[27]
Belavia[28][29] Astana, Baku, Batumi, Delhi,[30] Dubai–International,[31] Istanbul, Kazan, Kaliningrad, Kutaisi, Moscow–Domodedovo, Moscow–Sheremetyevo, Moscow–Vnukovo,[32] Saint Petersburg, Sochi, Tashkent, Tbilisi, Türkmenbaşy,[33] Ürümqi,[34] Yekaterinburg, Yerevan
Seasonal: Makhachkala (resumes 26 April 2025),[35] Murmansk (resumes 29 May 2025)[35]
Seasonal charter: Antalya,[36] Doha,[37] Hurghada,[37] Ras Al Khaimah (suspended),[38] Salalah,[39] Sharjah,[38] Sharm El Sheikh[37]
Flydubai[40] Dubai–International[41]
Ikar[citation needed] Nizhny Novgorod
Red Wings Airlines Arkhangelsk–Talagi, Chelyabinsk,[42] Samara,[43] Ufa, Ulyanovsk–Baratayevka[44]
Severstal Avia Cherepovets, Kaluga[45]
Utair Surgut (begins 7 June 2025)[46]
Uzbekistan Airways Tashkent[47]

Statistics

Annual passenger traffic at MSQ airport. See Wikidata query.
Traffic by calendar year, official ACI statistics[48]
Passengers Change from previous year Aircraft operations Change from previous year Cargo
(metric tons)		 Change from previous year
2005 559,114 Increase10.86% 5,456 Increase 2.83% 5,488 Increase 4.29%
2006 637,560 Increase14.03% 6,144 Increase12.61% 6,059 Increase10.40%
2007 830,481 Increase30.26% 7,590 Increase23.54% 7,290 Increase20.32%
2008 1,010,695 Increase21.70% 9,256 Increase21.95% 7,870 Increase 7.96%
2009 1,028,886 Increase 1.80% 9,341 Increase 0.92% 7,289 Decrease 7.38%
2010 1,285,423 Increase24.93% 11,020 Increase17.97% 8,553 Increase17.34%
2011 1,437,825 Increase11.86% 13,686 Increase24.19% 8,667 Increase1.33%
2012 1,837,911 Increase27.83% 14,947 Increase9.27% 9,833 Increase13.45%
2013 2,182,177 Increase18.73% 16,586 Increase11.00% 10,477 Increase6.55%
2014 2,593,559 Increase18.90% 20,036 Increase20.90% 19,905 Increase89.99%
2015 2,782,866 Increase7.30% 20,365 Increase1.64% 16,508.6 Decrease17.1%
2016 3,429,122 Increase23.2% 23,034 Increase13.1% 17,460.2 Increase5.76%
2017 4,114,512 Increase20.0% 24,508 Increase6.4% 18,464.8 Increase5.75%
2018 4,536,618 Increase10.3% 26 082 Increase6.6% 20,217 Increase10.6%
2019 5,101,766 Increase 12.5% 28,417 Increase 8.9% N.D. N.D.
2020 1,939,192 Decrease 62% 13,292 Decrease 53.2% N.D. N.D.
2022 ~2,065,000[49]
2023 2,497,631[49] Rise 20%
Source: Airports Council International. World Airport Traffic Reports
(Years 2005,[50] 2006,[51] 2007,[52] 2009,[53] 2011,[54] 2012,[55] 2013,[56] and 2014[57]);
Official website[48][58] (Years 2015--2020).

Ground transportation

Minsk National Airport overpass

The airport is located 42 km (26 mi) east of Minsk, and is linked with the city with a toll-free (for non-BY registered cars) highway. Free short term parking is available in front of the terminal. Minsk National Airport is linked to the capital by the M2 motorway. Bus, train, taxi and parking services are provided.[59] The airport is served by buses 300Э and 173Э departing from Centralny bus station. From the airport to Minsk, shuttle bus 1400-TK and 1430-ТК operates.[60]

Railway

From November 7, 2014[61] to April 6, 2017, a railway connection operated. The railway platform was within walking distance of the terminal, but free shuttle buses transported passengers from the train to the terminal. On the route from Minsk to the airport, the train made one intermediate stop at the Smalyavichy station to change its direction.

In April 2017, due to the construction of the second runway, the existing stopping point Minsk National Airport was dismantled — as of April 7, diesel train service was suspended indefinitely. Initially, it was planned to shorten the route to the nearby Šemietava station and transfer passengers from the diesel train to buses there,[62] but eventually, the decision was made to cancel the train service altogether.[63]

Incidents and accidents

  • On 1 February 1985, Aeroflot Flight 7841, a Tupolev Tu-134AK operated by Aeroflot with registration number CCCP-65910 en route to Leningrad Pulkovo airport, crashed into the forest shortly after takeoff, killing 55 out of 73 passengers and three out of seven crew members on board.[64]
  • On 6 September 2003, an aircraft Tu-154 operated by an Iranian airline Kish Air hit trees in heavy fog as it was on approach en route from Tehran to Copenhagen. None of the 38 passengers and 4 crew members on board were injured.[65]
  • On 26 October 2009, a BAe 125 executive jet RA-02807 crashed on approach to Minsk National Airport. All three crew and both passengers died.[66]
  • On 23 May 2021, Ryanair Flight 4978, operated using a Boeing 737-8AS with 171 passengers on board, traveling in Belarusian airspace en route from Athens to Vilnius, was intercepted by a Belarusian MiG-29 just before it reached Lithuanian airspace. The MiG forced the plane to land at Minsk National Airport. Upon landing, the Belarusian KGB arrested two of the passengers, opposition activist Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend Sofia Sapega. The other passengers were allowed to reboard the plane to depart for Vilnius after seven hours.[67]

See also

References

  1. ^ UMMS. "Minsk National Airport". airport.by. Archived from the original on 1 August 2018. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  2. ^ ch-aviation.com - TAE Avia retrieved 9 April 2022
  3. ^ ch-aviation.com - Genex retrieved 9 April 2022
  4. ^ ch-aviation.com - Rubystar Airways retrieved 9 April 2022
  5. ^ "История аэропорта | Национальный аэропорт Минск". airport.by (in Russian). Archived from the original on 28 June 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  6. ^ "Национальный аэропорт "Минск": 35 лет | Национальный аэропорт Минск". airport.by (in Russian). Archived from the original on 13 April 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  7. ^ "Минск (Аэродром)". ekskursii.by. Archived from the original on 1 August 2018. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  8. ^ "Airport History - Minsk National Airport". Archived from the original on 17 June 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  9. ^ "Состоялось официальное открытие новой взлетно-посадочной полосы в Национальном аэропорту Минск". Archived from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  10. ^ "EU imposes new economic sanctions on Belarus over 'hijacked' flight". the Guardian. 25 May 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  11. ^ hessenschau.de (German) 25 May 2021
  12. ^ "Treasury Holds the Belarusian Regime to Account on Anniversary of Fraudulent Election". United States Department of the Treasury. 9 August 2021. Archived from the original on 9 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  13. ^ "German minister faults airlines on Belarus migrant arrivals". AP News. 14 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  14. ^ "Hundreds of migrants present at Minsk airport: report". polandin.com. 30 September 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  15. ^ "Migrants jam-pack Minsk Airport, head to border cities Hrodna and Brest, sleep on streets (pics, videos)". Belsat TV. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  16. ^ Марина Волкова (20 October 2021). "Прямо сейчас в аэропорту Минска на мигрантах нелегально наживается несколько турфирм. Мини-расследование KYKY (речь о миллионах!)". kyky.org (in Russian). Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  17. ^ spiegel.de - Syrian airline ends flights to Minsk (German) 13 November 2021
  18. ^ faz.net - "Turkish Airlines cooperates with the EU" (German) 12 November 2021
  19. ^ haberturk.com - "Belavia, Türkiye’den Belarus’a Irak, Suriye ve Yemen vatandaşlarını taşımayacak" (Turkish) 14 November 2021
  20. ^ belavia.by - Belavia news 14 November 2021
  21. ^ belavia.by - Belavia news 18 November 2021
  22. ^ airport.by - Airport Map retrieved 16 October 2021
  23. ^ airport.by - Season Timetable retrieved 16 October 2021
  24. ^ Liu, Jim (20 March 2025). "Aeroflot NS25 Moscow – Minsk Service Increases". AeroRoutes. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  25. ^ airchina.com - Flight schedules retrieved 9 March 2022
  26. ^ Liu, Jim (11 December 2024). "Air China Adds Xi'An – Minsk Service From late-Dec 2024". AeroRoutes. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  27. ^ "Авиакомпания «Азимут» запустила рейсы из Минеральных Вод в Минск". 13 January 2024.
  28. ^ en.belavia.by - Timetable retrieved 1 December 2021
  29. ^ irishtimes.com - EU agrees sanctions on Belarus after forced landing of Ryanair flight 24 May 2021
  30. ^ "Belavia NS24 India Service Changes". AeroRoutes. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  31. ^ "Belavia Resumes Dubai Service From Dec 2022". AeroRoutes. 28 October 2022.
  32. ^ "Belavia resumes Moscow Vnukovo service from mid-July 2022". AeroRoutes. 25 July 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  33. ^ "Belavia Adds Turkmenbashi Service From late-Oct 2022".
  34. ^ "Belavia Schedules China Launch in mid-Dec 2024". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  35. ^ a b "Национальный аэропорт Минск с 30 марта переходит на весенне-летнее расписание полетов". belta.by (in Russian). BelTA – News from Belarus. Belarusian Telegraph Agency. 28 March 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
  36. ^ "Timetable". www.tez-tour.com. 1 December 2021.
  37. ^ a b c "Belavia NS24 Egypt / Qatar Charters". AeroRoutes. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  38. ^ a b "Чартеры Belavia в Рас-эль-Хайму перенесут в другой аэропорт". officelife.media (in Russian). Office Life. 19 March 2025. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
  39. ^ "Charter flights from Minsk to Salalah to start February 27". news.by (in Russian). BelTeleRadioCompany. 10 January 2025. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  40. ^ flydubai.com - Route map retrieved 1 December 2021
  41. ^ Новая чартерная программа из Минска в ОАЭ стартует 2 марта
  42. ^ Алла, Поплавская (3 March 2025). "Субсидированные перелеты из Челябинска в Минск возобновляются с 4 марта - Минская правда, 03.03.2025" (in Russian). Мiнская праўда. Информационное агентство «Минская правда». Retrieved 4 March 2025.
  43. ^ "Red Wings Adds Samara – Minsk From Nov 2023". AeroRoutes. 27 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  44. ^ "Полеты между Ульяновском и Минском возобновят 21 марта". Улпресса - все новости Ульяновска (in Russian). ИА «Улпресса». 8 February 2025. Retrieved 10 February 2025. {{cite news}}: |first1= missing |last1= (help)
  45. ^ Регулярные рейсы из Калуги в Минск запустят с 12 апреля
  46. ^ Абдуллина, Алиса (17 January 2025). "Из Сургута планируют запустить прямые рейсы в Белоруссию" (in Russian). Gorod3466.ru - Сайт Нижневартовска. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  47. ^ "Uzbekistan Airways increases frequency of flights to Minsk". eng.belta.by. 18 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  48. ^ a b "Airport Performance". Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  49. ^ a b "Национальный аэропорт Минск подвел предварительные итоги за 2023 год". 4 January 2024.
  50. ^ Airport Council International's 2005 World Airport Traffic Report
  51. ^ Airport Council International's 2006 World Airport Traffic Report
  52. ^ Airport Council International's 2007 World Airport Traffic Report
  53. ^ Airport Council International Archived 11 August 2016 at the Wayback Machine's 2009 World Airport Traffic Report
  54. ^ Airport Council International's 2011 World Airport Traffic Report
  55. ^ Airport Council International's 2012 World Airport Traffic Report
  56. ^ Airport Council International's 2013 World Airport Traffic Report
  57. ^ Airport Council International's 2014 World Airport Traffic Report
  58. ^ "Национальный аэропорт Минск подвел итоги работы за 2020 год" [Minsk National Airport summed up the results of work for 2020] (in Russian). Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  59. ^ "Transport - Minsk National Airport". Archived from the original on 17 June 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  60. ^ Общественный транспорт
  61. ^ "BZD launched trains to the National Airport Minsk station". Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  62. ^ Yevgeny Gromov. "BZD relocates transfer station at National Airport Minsk (updated)". railwayz.info. Archived from the original on 6 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  63. ^ "Attention Passengers! - Belarusian Railway". Belarusian Railway. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  64. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Tupolev 134AK CCCP-65910 Nezhivka".
  65. ^ "Kish Air aircraft strikes trees during landing".
  66. ^ "Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  67. ^ "EXPLAINER: What was behind a jet's diversion to Belarus?". AP News. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2024.

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