ArmInfo. In Jan-Oct 2016, the passenger traffic via Zvartnots Airport of Yerevan increased by 9.5%. The press office of the General Department of Civil Aviation of Armenia has told ArmInfo that as many as 1,747,926 people made use of Zvartnots Airport services. In 2016, the cargo traffic via Zvartnots Airport totaled 13,290 tons, 81% more than in 2015.
"In October 2016 versus October 2015, the number of those who made use of Zvartnots Airport, grew by 32%," the source says.
On 23 October 2013, the Armenian Government approved an open skies program, or a program ensuring provision of competitive air services in Armenia. The program is based on the joint survey of McKinsey & Company and the National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia. The open skies policy caused withdrawal of a number of foreign air carriers from the market. Due to the high air ticket prices, many Armenian passengers prefer the air services of neighboring Georgia, where there are several European low- cost companies.
In 2014, as many as 2.082.755 passengers flew from Armenia and to Armenia (up 18.5% versus 2013). However, in Jan-Nov 2015 versus Jan-Nov 2014, the number of the passengers who made use of Zvartnots airport services fell from 1.896.807 to 1.726.545, and the cargo traffic declined from 9.478 to 8.604 tons. In 2015, Aegean Airways, Georgian Airways, Iraqi Airways, Al Naser, Mahan Air, Middle East airways, S7 Airlines, Czech, LOT, Saratov Airlines and Ural Airlines carried out flights to Armenia. Nordwind Airlines, Ikar (PEGAS FLY) announced the launch of sale of regular flights from Domodedovo airport (Moscow) to Yerevan. The Russian Pobeda low-cost air carrier and Brussels Airlines have announced their entry to the Armenian market.