Yerevan Secures Top 5 Spot for International Passenger Traffic at Sochi Airport
YEREVAN, January 21. /ARKA/. The capital of Armenia, Yerevan, has been identified as one of the top five cities for international passenger traffic at Sochi Airport, according to data released on January 21, 2026. This achievement comes despite a nearly 9% decrease in the airport’s overall passenger volume last year.
Sochi Airport’s Performance in 2025
Sochi Airport, owned by Aerodinamika Group, served a total of 12.5 million passengers in 2025. This figure represents a decline from the previous year. However, international passenger traffic at the airport reached a record high, exceeding 1.8 million passengers. This marks an increase from the 1.7 million international passengers recorded in 2024, highlighting a growing trend in international travel through the hub.
Leading International Destinations
The primary international destinations contributing to this record-breaking traffic at Sochi Airport include Istanbul (Turkey), Antalya (Turkey), Yerevan (Armenia), Dubai (United Arab Emirates), and Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt). Collectively, these five routes accounted for over 1.2 million passengers, underscoring their significance in the airport’s international operations.
Context of Armenia’s Economic Landscape
This positive news for Yerevan’s air traffic coincides with other notable economic developments in Armenia. Fitch Ratings recently revised the Outlook on Armenia’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency (LTFC) Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to Positive from Stable, affirming the IDR at ‘BB-‘. This revision reflects an improved economic outlook for the country.
Furthermore, Armenia’s Finance Minister, Vahe Hovhannisyan, announced that economic growth in Armenia for 2025 is projected to be between 5.5% and 6%. The state budget revenues for 2025 reportedly increased by 306 billion drams compared to 2024, with expenditures rising by 350 billion drams. The tax-to-GDP ratio is expected to reach 24.5% by the end of 2025, nearing the 25% target.
These economic indicators suggest a robust environment that could further support and enhance international connectivity for the country, including passenger traffic to and from Yerevan.
Other Related Developments
In related news, Ardshinbank recently opened a specialized IT Hub in Yerevan, signaling growth in the technology sector. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also described the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project as primarily an economic initiative. Discussions are also underway regarding attracting Mexican investments to Armenia, and the country was listed among the top 10 most popular New Year’s holiday destinations for Russians.
The construction of the region’s largest confectionery factory, a €145 million investment by the ‘Vellar Group’, is also underway in Armenia. Additionally, the Ministry of Economy reported that the loan and leasing portfolio for agricultural support programs reached approximately 439 billion drams by the end of 2025, benefiting nearly 5,000 individuals and supporting the acquisition of over 13,000 units of machinery and equipment.
These various economic and investment activities within Armenia contribute to a dynamic environment that likely fuels the demand for international travel, as evidenced by Yerevan’s strong performance at Sochi Airport.
