YEREVAN, MARCH 9, ARMENPRESS: After the adoption of “Open Sky” policy the number of airlines conducting regular flights to Armenia is growing. As "Armenpress" reports the number of such companies was 21 earlier this year, which is expected to become 22, with the start of operations of the domestic "Armenia" airline.

Since the adoption of the “Open Sky" policy in 2015, the frequency of flights increased by 3% compared to 2013 and passenger flow by 11 %. In 2015, negotiations were held with 26 state authorities of the civil aviation industry, and with 14 states the legal framework for this sector has been liberalized. Works are in progress with 12 other states. 5th Freedom of the Air was mutually granted to airlines of 6 countries: Turkmenistan, Qatar, Kuwait, Greece, Luxembourg and Iceland. Negotiations were conducted with over 30 airlines.

As the Head of political and economic control department of the Civil Aviation of the Ministry of Economy Anna Chobanyan informed, the "Armenia" airline company applied to the Ministry, after which they were presented the list of documents required for a license and were informed about the appeal procedure. "At least 20 days before the start of flights we have to have the complete application documents. It is reviewed by the Council, which examines the application within 15 days and gives the advisory opinion. Then the whole package is sent to the minister, who makes the decision, “Anna Chobanyan said.

Within five days after being granted the license, with the assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economy sends messages to all states to which the airline is planning to operate flights. "It means that we are obliged to complete the process within twenty days," Anna Chobanyan added. She confirmed that the company is Armenian, which in no way contradicts the current "Open skies" policy. “The “Open Sky” policy does not limit the state to have a local, national carrier. Of course, the airline will have to survive in a competitive environment. Therefore, the Council will discuss to what extent the airline is financially sustainable to implement its business plan, “Anna Chobanyan said.

She stated that according to the aviation legislation, a company may be considered to be local, if 51 percent or more of its shares are owned by Armenian citizens or the Republic of Armenia (in this case the company is considered a national carrier). "Local" and "national" airlines are differentiated, but there is no difference in terms of the definition, "Anna Chobanyan said. “Armenia” Airline Company announced on March 8, that it is preparing its first flight on April 21 bound to Israel. "Armenia" On March 8, the airline said that in preparing its first flight on April 21 in the direction of Israel. One of the shareholders of the company had previously said that the airline will conduct $ 49 flights from Yerevan to Europe, CIS countries, mainly Asian countries.