ArmInfo. Over the past two years, about two dozen new airlines have entered the Armenian market, the press service of the General Department of Civil Aviation (GDCA) of Armenia reports.
For the last two years, 12 new airlines have entered the local air market: Armenia Aircompany, Brussels Airways, Qatar Airways, Wataniya Airways, Germania Fluggesellschaft, Arkia Israeli Airlines, Cham Wings, Air Cairo, Turkmenistan Airlines, Red Wings, Nordwind Airlines, Pobeda 12 new flights to Lyon, Brussels, Kuwait, Doha, Berlin, Prague, Tel Aviv, Damascus, Sharm El Sheikh, Ashgabat, Frankfurt, Astana. At the same time Belavia and Czech Airlines returned to the Armenian market.
The launch of new flights, as noted, also had a positive impact on the performance of Armenian airports. In addition to expanding the geography of flights, the State Administration of Civil Aviation did work to improve the business environment and simplify administration. The concept of free airspace was introduced, thus liberalizing the market, and giving each airline a fifth degree of freedom of airspace, thereby allowing airlines to carry passengers not only from point A to point B and from point A to point C (with an intermediate landing at point B), but also from point B to point C (A-> B-> C) and back. With the aim of developing the Shirak airport in Gyumri and attracting budget airlines there, the Armenian government took a number of steps. In particular, from December 31, 2014 the airport was exempted from paying the so-called "air tax". Since January 1, 2017, the tariff for air navigation services has been reduced by 50%, and aviation services for airlines are free of charge.
During the reporting period, the air traffic agreement with the EU was pre-signed, which would allow liberalizing the Armenian air market. The document will also ensure the implementation of European aviation standards in Armenia and will form a predictable business environment. A draft law on introducing amendments and addenda to the RA Law "On Aviation" has been developed, which is aimed at the development of small aircraft.
In addition, for the first time in Armenia, training courses for private pilots have been launched. Already in the near future, as GDCA reports, citizens of the republic and tourists visiting the country will also have the opportunity to travel both in Armenia and fly out of it by helicopters.