The new Gagarin Airport (member of the Airports of Regions Holding) in Saratov will start servicing flights from August 20, 2019. All the flights to Saratov will be transferred since that time from the Central Airport to the new Gagarin Airport. The relevant decision was made at the coordination meeting held earlier today in the territory of the new air harbor with participation of Chairman of the State Duma (Lower House of the Russian parliament) and Head of the Federal Air Transport Agency Alexander Neradko.
Participants discussed the issue of outfit of the aviation checkpoint of the state border required for international flights servicing in the airport during the meeting. Stakeholders confirm the possibility of servicing international flights from the airport opening day according to results of the discussion.
“Documents were sent to the Russian Air Transport Agency to obtain the Certificate of Civil Aviation Aerodrome Operator and other permits required to carry all kinds of airport business,” General Director of the Airports of Regions Holding Evgenii Chudnovskii noted during the meeting. “All the required permits are planned to be received by August 1, 2019,” he said.
Recruitment of staff for work in the new airport is at the final stage now and programs have been launched for compulsory and advance training and probation of personnel taken on board. Provision of special vehicles, equipment and machinery for functions continues with the aim of supporting airport operations. Comprehensive testing, including with involvement of volunteers, will take place in the period from July 28 to August 8 for the purpose of staff action training. A test flight to the Gagarin Airport is planned on the Russian Air Force Day, on August 18.
