OREANDA-NEWS. Basel Aero, part of Russia’s largest diversified industrial group Basic Element, announced operational results for Sochi International Airport for January to August 2013, noting that the airport’s passenger volume increased by 10%.

During the first eight months of 2013, Sochi International Airport served around 1.6 mln passengers, 10% more than in the same period last year. 184,926 passengers were served on international routes (34% more than last year) and almost 1.5 mln on domestic ones (7% up compared with the previous year).

The number of flights during the period was 8,721, 7% more than in January-August 2012. The airport processed 2,360 tonnes of cargo - a 50% increase.

According to Basel Aero analysts, passenger volume at the Sochi Airport will reach 2.4 mln people by the end of 2013, 12.5% more than in 2012. Last year Sochi airport served 2.1 mln passengers.

The rising passenger volume will mainly be due to increased domestic traffic, particularly from Sochi to Moscow and St.Petersburg. There are also a number of international destinations that have been added to Sochi airport’s route network in 2013. These include Southeast Asia, Eastern and Northern Europe.