Pulkovo Airport, for the first time, obtained the Wings of Russia Award. The air harbor of St. Petersburg received recognition in the category "Airport of the year in group 1 (more than 15 million passengers a year)" for the results of 2018. The awards ceremony took place in Moscow, the capital of Russia, on April 16, 2019.

Vladimir Yakushev, Chief Executive Officer of Pulkovo Airport operator Northern Capital Gateway LLC, noted:

"It is a great pleasure and honor to receive this prestigious industry award. Aviation experts' recognition of Pulkovo Airport achievements confirms the effectiveness of the work done by our large team. We will continue to provide high level of service to passengers and airlines, widen possibilities for travelling from St. Petersburg, improve the airport's infrastructure and launch new services".

In 2018, Pulkovo Airport served record 18.1 million people, which is 12.4% more than in 2017. During the year, the route network of Pulkovo Airport was expanded by 20 new destinations. Four new airlines launched scheduled flights from the St. Petersburg airport. Additionally, in 2018, Pulkovo served two new types of aircraft for the first time: the world's largest aircraft Airbus A380, and one of the newest and most advanced type of narrow-body aircraft Boeing 737 MAX 8. During the year, Pulkovo launched several new passenger services, including remote check-in for flights from St. Petersburg, 24-hour baggage drop-off counters and car sharing. In addition, in 2018, the airport's operator expanded the parking complex: a free cellphone parking lot was opened on Pulkovskoe Highway, and 100 additional spaces were created in the short-term parking area P2.

Four airports were competing for the Wings of Russia Award 2018 in the category "Airport of the year in group 1 (more than 15 million passengers a year)". The winners were selected after a secret ballot by a panel of experts made up of representatives from public organizations, the media, the aviation business, as well as independent aviation experts. The accomplishments of the airports were assessed by the following criteria: passenger traffic, route network development, infrastructure development, the level of passenger service and more.

The Wings of Russia Award was established in 1997 by Air Transport Observer magazine, Russia's Air Transport Operators Association and the consulting company Infomost. For 22 years, the award has been the most prestigious industry's recognition, not only a symbol of the success of airlines and airports, but also the objective proof of the realities and trends currently existing in the Russian civil aviation.

Contributed by Pulkovo St. Petersburg Airport