The new facility is one of the key infrastructure developments ahead of the city staging Russia’s first Winter Games in 2014.

The new terminal complex, which is already operational and handling passengers on both domestic and international flights, is equipped with the latest engineering systems and technological equipment, which will ensure the highest levels of safety and comfort.

Particular emphasis has been placed on environmental considerations and resource efficiency when building the terminal.

Oleg Deripaska, the chief executive of Basic Element, who own the airport, said: "The opening of this new terminal is a highly significant event for Basic Element, the investor responsible for the new terminal and several other Sochi 2014 Olympic sites, as well as the city of Sochi and the entire Krasnodar Territory.

"A modern airport is a vital component of the Region’s future prosperity.

"The opening of the terminal is, in a large part, thanks to our excellent partners, without whom the successful delivery of the project would have been possible."

Sochi is one of Russia's top ten airports for domestic passengers.

It handled 1.4 million passengers in total last year.

Earlier this year Turkish Airlines began a new route to the airport from Istanbul.