ArmInfo. By setting tariff of 10 thousand drams on Gyumri- Moscow flights Russian Pobeda company demonstrates its adherence to policy of low-cost carrier, which no matter affects the security level of passenger transportation, Head of Flight Regulation Division of General Department of Civil Aviation Anna Chobanyan stated at the press conference today.
According to Chobanyan programs related to attracting low-coster carriers on Armenian market launched back in the end of 2013 when Armenia joined "Open Skies" policy. The representative of the GDCA admitted that for a long time they did not manage to reach success and now there is finally an opportunity to work with Russian "Pobeda" company, which agreed to carry out flights from Shirak airport in Gyumri starting from late November. "As of now it is informed that flights will be carried out to Moscow 3 times a week. However, the package is subject to revision as there is no final application from the air carrier. We hope that the number of flights will be increased and new routes will be added", Chobanyan stated.
The prices starting from 999 Rubles relate to several percents of tickets on each flight, Chobanyan noted stressing that it is not a fixed price. At the same time the highest price threshold should not be too high as it is a low-coster company. The company will instead save on food, luggage, and the level of service but no way on security level. "No company can receive a certificate without ensuring due level of security", Chobanyan stated.
The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) has given a permit to Pobeda low-cost carrier (member of Aeroflot Group) to make flights from Moscow to Gyumri, the second largest city of Armenia. According to the permit the flights will be carried out 7 times a week. To recall, no flights have been conducted from Shirak airport in Gyumri for a long period of time. The only flight Gyumri-Moscow was suspended in the beginning of this year. To note, "Shirak" airport is part of "Armenia" International Airports" CJS, established by the famous Argentinean businessman of Armenian descent Eduardo Eurnekian. The airport "Shirak" of Gyumri was built in 1961 and with its indices it is the second in the Republic of Armenia. The airport is located 5 km far from Gyumri and 120 km far from Yerevan. The building and the runway of the present functioning airport have been put into operation in 1982. The airport "Shirak" of Gyumri can be considered the second international alternate airport of Armenia.
On October 20, while presenting the government program for the next three years, Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan stated in Parliament that the Armenian government intends to re-launch the airport in Gyumri, the second largest city of Armenia. According to him the government will hold negotiations with a number of low-cost companies for this purpose.