New Passenger Terminal Project

The architectural concept of the new international passenger Terminal A at Vnukovo International Airport incorporating original and innovative layout and optimized technological processes as submitted by the Moscow Committee for Architecture, Messrs. Obermeyer Consult of Germany, and the Mosproject-4 Studio and approved by the Mayoral Community Board of the City of Moscow.

The sprawling terminal building is located on the site of the existing domestic passenger terminal with the floor area substantially increased and put to maximum efficient use. The new Terminal A will also serve as a springboard for the subsequent development of the entire adjacent landside area both next to the Terminal and farther out toward Vnukovo Settlement.

The existing new passenger Terminal B, which opened in 2004, currently handles international passengers whereas in the future it shall be converted to handle domestic flights or to fulfill any other dedicated function to be determined at a later date.

The oldest of the Vnukovo passenger terminals built as far back as in 1941, had been demolished by the time the construction of the new one [A] commenced in 2007.

The existing Domestic Terminal 2 built in the late 70’s will continue in operation until its partial dismantling during the last phase of construction of and replacement with the new Terminal's South wing. The current vision is for the remaining section of Domestic Terminal D to become the Airpport's dedicated low-cost facility while also serving as a link between Terminals A and B.

The new passenger Terminal A shall have a total floor space offer of 250 000 square meters and passenger throughput capacity of 7800 pax. per hour, adding up to 18-20 million passengers expected to be welcomed every year. This will open up a plethora of opportunities for the tenant airlines to expand and radically improve the quality of their customer service at the Airport, and will ensure the introduction of international-quality service and comfort every step of the way.

The new Terminal's one-of-a-kind architectural design is bound to make it a landmark and one of Moscow’s calling cards as it were. The Terminal is seamlessly integrated into the Airport’s existing time-proven layout and infrastructure.

The new terminal building was conceived and designed as a unique structure to blend into the Airport’s existing infrastructure both functionally and aesthetically.

The optimally designed layout of the Terminal's ramp area will eventually feature 25 boarding gates, all of them jetway-equipped, thus maximizing the number of flights served via jetways as opposed to those handled on remote stands. The tennis racket-shaped, 180 meter-wide by 510 meter-long building will integrate all the departure and arrival operations, also providing ample room for business-class lounges and services for departing passengers. Thanks to the Terminal’s modular structure, the passengers will find it easy to navigate and will be able to intuitively locate and access required areas. The Terminal’s main concourse, 340 meters long by 85meters wide, and comprising 4 levels, provides the confluence point of all the necessary operations and services. The elevated roadway located in the airport forecourt, flush with the new Terminal's departures level,  is covered by an overhanging glass awning to shelter curbside traffic from the changeable Moscow weather. 

The preferred color option and the construction materials used in the project are those of sky-blue glass in combination with light metallic color façade, which combine to give the Terminal a modern and international look and are suggestive of pleasant emotional parallels with the sky, aircraft, and flying in general.

All the major functions requisite in a passenger terminal and issues relating to its day-to-day operation as outlined in the applicable international standards and specifications, as well as in those of the domestic governmental and municipal agencies, have been clearly formulated and incorporated into the concept.

The greater part of the Terminal’s concourse areas has been allocated for centralized (airline non-specific) passenger check-in, offering however plenty of extra room for airlines’ and air alliances’ dedicated check-in facilities. The interior layout has been planned and arranged in such a manner as to provide a clear and intuitive wayfinding system for the air traveler.

The common access concourse areas as well as those for exclusive use by ticketed passengers will eventually feature numerous shopping and dining outlets. Thanks to the original design of the ceiling and panoramic views of the apron from inside the Terminal, the inner concourses will always have plenty of natural light to complement their own powerful lighting system.

Image credits: A. Maneshina, V. Vernikovsky, M. Golofastov