New airport in the Arctic for LNG plant welcomes first passengers

The creation of the massive liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in northern Siberia hit another milestone when the first passenger aircraft landed at its new Arctic airport. 

More than 130 passengers – all employees of Yamal LNG and its contractors - were on board the inaugural flight that touched down at the purpose-built facility.

Known as Sabetta International Airport, it is one of the first Russian Arctic airports built from scratch and will help the development of the resource-rich Yamal Peninsula.

The first flight, on a Boeing 737-400, had arrived from Novy Urengoy and from this month services will also connect Yamal with Moscow.

The new airport will primary serve as a transport hub for workers of the plant, which will have a capacity for 16.5million tonnes of gas a year when production starts in 2017.

However, its geographical location is seen as strategically important to Russia, allowing the movement of passengers and cargo to and from a once-inaccessible region.

Sabetta International will be able to handle about 150,000 passengers this year, increasing to around 300,000 people when the LNG site is fully operational.

Construction work on the Yamal Peninsula has been on an epic scale with a new port and dedicated train lines built in addition to the new airport.

Sabetta will also become the new gateway to the Northern Sea Route across the Arctic as Russia gears up for an increase in trade over the roof of the world.

Tests have already been carried out on the feasibility of using the frozen waters, traditionally open for just four months in the summer, all-year-round.

The new port on the Yamal Peninsula, which will be fully operational by 2016, will provide year-round navigation for vessels carrying goods and gas through the Northern Sea Route.