Friday, June 9 2017 17:39

ArmInfo. In 2016 in the sphere of air transportation in Armenia an unprecedented indicator was fixed - 2.11 million passengers were transported. This was due to Karen Karapetyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, who visited the General Department of Civil Aviation of the Republic of Armenia on June 9.

As the press service of the Armenian government reports, the premier was also informed that for the first five months of 2017 the growth of passenger and cargo air transportation was noted. In particular, the volume of passenger transportation increased by 31%, and freight - by 82%. The GDCA takes steps to organize regular cargo flights, in connection with which negotiations are held with airlines and investors. In order to attract new airlines to the market and increase the frequency of flights, measures are taken to improve the business environment. In particular, measures are being taken to facilitate the procedure for granting permits, reducing the number of required documents, introducing an electronic ticketing system, which will make the process more transparent and controllable. In addition, international agreements are being revised, negotiations are under way with the European Union for a comprehensive air service.

The Prime Minister pointed out the importance of the implementation of these works, instructing, taking into account the development of the sphere, to submit to the government apparatus clear proposals on the development of the sphere of civil aviation. It was also reported that a program for the development of small aircraft was currently being developed, and an assessment of the state of the country's airports was under way. Karen Karapetyan noted that, taking into account the demand for small aircraft, it is necessary to stop at those target points, in the direction of which it is possible to fly. "It is necessary to study the possibilities of commercial transportation, the state of public transport, the potential of this direction, the price policy in directions, I am sure that sooner or later small aircraft will become a necessity, and the geography of its flights will significantly expand," the Armenian government head said.

Speaking about taxi services at the Yerevan airport "Zvartnots", the Prime Minister stressed that in this direction it is necessary to pursue a very tough policy. "But at the same time, everyone should not treat everyone equally, there are also normally working people, it is necessary to draw clear distinctions," the prime minister said. He pointed to the importance of increasing tourist services at the airports - travel agencies, translators, vehicles. "We must provide alternative modern services," the prime minister said.

During the meeting, the issue of introducing a transport route from Zvartnots airport to the center of Yerevan was also raised. In addition, the airport expansion program for the years 2021-2023 was discussed.