The AviaGroup Nord announced plans for a major redevelopment of the Pulkovo-2 terminal in St. Petersburg. The project will transform a 1950s-era airline terminal into a modern business aviation complex and should be complete by November.

Since the building has protected historical status, AviaGroup Nord is able to make only limited changes to its façade, but the interior is undergoing radical changes, while some striking Soviet-era aviation-themed artwork is being retained.

The reconstructed facility has a nominal passenger capacity of 75,000 annually. It has a departure and arrival halls, private meeting rooms, conference halls and a duty-free shop. Currently, it serves only domestic flights, but x flights abroad will be possible in the future with the addition of an international sector (see main story).

In 2011 St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo airport administration sold the old building to AviaGroup Nord and its partner Air Gates of the Northern Capital for almost $6.5 million. The restoration effort saw $22 million spent by December 2012 and the total investment is set to reach $32 million when the work is complete. Additionally, the investors have spent $11.3 million to acquire and rebuild nearby hangars. According to Russian press reports, the Pulkovo-2 project has been coordinated, structured, funded and executed by local entrepreneur Gennady Timchenko.