The airport terminal was built in 1982 by architects Levon Christophorian and Ruben Asratyan. However, after the earthquake in 1988, the airport became largely inoperable and practically unused until it was partially renewed in 2004. At the start of 2006, Armenia felt the importance of having a second airport, when adverse weather conditions meant that many flights had to be diverted from Yerevan's Zvartnots International Airport into Gyumri's Shirak Airport.
The airport terminal was built in 1982 by architects Levon Christophorian and Ruben Asratyan, but after the earthquake of 1988, it became largely unusable and practically unused until it was partially renovated in 2004. In early 2006, Armenia recognized the need for a second airport due to adverse weather conditions that forced many flights to be diverted from Yerevan's Zvartnots International Airport to Gyumri's Shirak Airport.