Headquarters Russia Founded 1991 | Website www.dme.aero/eng/ | |
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East Line Group (Russian: Группа Ист Лайн) is an airport infrastructure business in Russia. It operates Domodedovo International Airport near Moscow, although the runways are controlled by the state.
Overview
East Line was founded in 1992 as a cargo agent and freight forwarding business; after gaining control of Domodedovo airport it reduced fees and improved ground transport to attract customers.
In 1993–1994, East Line Group, founded by Urals entrepreneurs Anton Bakov and Dmitry Kamenschik, who built capital in the early 1990s on hauling cargo from Asian countries to Russia, invested in several facilities at Domodedovo, including a new customs terminal and catering services. In late 1996, Kamenschik-led East Line Group privatized the terminal facilities of Domodedovo Airport and formed JSC 'International Airport Domodedovo' and several other commercial entities controlling the airfield operations at the airport. Since 1998, the runways, air traffic control, and communication facilities are formally on a lease to the subsidiary of East Line Group.
In December 2010, East Line displaced director Vyacheslav Nekrasov, following disruption at Domodedovo caused by electrical problems and severe winter weather.
East Line has recently reconstructed more airport facilities, and has continued to attract more passengers and more airlines. Domodedovo is now the busiest airport in Russia; there are plans to construct a third runway. Double-level passenger bridges were installed in May 2012, to support the Airbus A380 which will be used on some Emirates flights to Domodedovo.
Domodedovo's rivals, Sheremetyevo International Airport and Vnukovo International Airport, are state-owned.