Armenia’s local air carrier contest suspended

YEREVAN, JULY 29, ARMENPRESS: The contest of the three air carrier companies in the Republic of Armenia was suspended. This was reported to Armenpress by the Spokesperson of the General Department of the Civil Aviation of the Government of the Republic of Armenia Nelly Cherchinyan. As stated by Nelly Cherchinyan, the American McKinsey & Company expressed its wish to provide consultation assistance. “Now the experts are in Armenia and carry out studies, which will last for about two months, up to the end of September”, - said the Spokesperson of the General Department of the Civil Aviation. Nelly Cherchinyan informed that still there are no applications submitted by three local air carrier companies, only the Armenian Air Armenia has applied and got a temporary permission to implement flights.

The Executive Director of Air Armenia Arsen Avetisyan stated that they have obtained permission to implement flights to Moscow, Sochi, Samara, Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar and Sankt Petersburg. The flights will be carried out by two airplanes. Arsen Avetisyan assured that their company will definitely participate in the forthcoming air carrier contest.

Earlier it was reported by Armenpress, that the Republic of Armenia passes to the liberalization of the air transfers, the strategy of which was approved at the session of the Government of Armenia. The Prime Minister of the Republic stated that there will be at least three Armenian air companies functioning in this field, which will be selected by contest. As was stated by the Head of the General Department of Civil Aviation of the Republic of Armenia Artyom Movsisyan, the decision was made taking into account all the available and possible positive and negative consequences of the national air carrier, liberalization, national security of Armenia and economy. Artyom Movsisyan noted that it is intended to liberalize as well the air transfers with the European Union. The Head of the General Department of Civil Aviation of the Republic of Armenia informed that the air lines will be provided to the air companies by contests and it is possible that one air line is served by two air companies. At the same time Artyom Movsisyan stated that the Armenian air companies will use the personnel reserve of Armavia Air Carrier, which has a great experience and potential. Armavia Air Company announced about its bankruptcy and has stopped implementing its flights since April 1 2013. Armavia still continues the compensation process for the tickets of the unimplemented flights.

Prepared by Ani Nazaryan