Reviving Armenian Airlines Closed for Various Reasons: Pilots Issue Statement

Pilots and aviation specialists who are veterans of the current and previous wars in Armenia have addressed the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense, and the Minister of Territorial Development and Infrastructure.

“Esteemed Mr. Prime Minister, esteemed Ministers,

We, the active and veteran pilots of the recent wars in Armenia, along with aviation specialists, appeal to you to ensure the stability of Armenia's connection with the outside world during this unpredictable and prolonged war, to avoid further isolation of Armenia's airspace, to facilitate the return of our compatriots wishing to come back to Armenia, and to secure our country's safety and sovereignty. We ask for the immediate implementation of the following actions:

1. Restore the Air Operator Certificates of Armenian airlines that have been closed for various reasons in the past year and re-register the aircraft removed from the state registry. Specifically, we need to re-establish a total of 7 aircraft, including 4 Boeing 737s. Additionally, restore the operational rights of 3 A-320 aircraft. Note: Garik Papikyan, the owner of Taron Avia, has joined our request and is ready to provide all 4 of his Boeing 737s along with their crews to the Republic of Armenia free of charge.
2. Reinstate the flight permissions for all pilots who lost their flying permissions due to missing planned training sessions on the aviation simulator as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. This is within the jurisdiction of our aviation authorities.
3. Based on the previous logic from the April war when the significant number of flights to Armenia from foreign companies was suspended, and to maintain an uninterrupted connection with the outside world, in conjunction with implementing the first two steps and ensuring that aircraft are available, quickly prepare and plan new, expedited mechanisms for ensuring flights and permissions in the required directions with the aviation authorities of the receiving parties.
4. Involve specialists with experience and skills in organizing the aforementioned functions within the emergency management bodies ensuring the operations of the Republic of Armenia.

Stepan Nikoghosyan - Commander of Mi-8 Helicopter, Knight of the Combat Cross of RA and Artsakh, Participant in the Artsakh War

Ashot Chilingaryan - Commander of A-320 Aircraft, Knight of the Combat Cross of RA, Participant in the Artsakh War

Senior Alexanderan - Commander of Boeing 737 Aircraft, Participant in the Artsakh War

Albert Karapetyan - Commander of Boeing 737 Aircraft, Participant in the Artsakh War

Eduard Karapetyan - Commander of Boeing 737 Aircraft, Participant in the Artsakh War

Arthur Davlatyan - Commander of A-320 Aircraft, Participant in the Artsakh War

Rafael Gevorgyan - Commander of Boeing 737 Aircraft, Participant in the Artsakh War

Arayik Baldryan - Commander of Boeing 737 Aircraft, Participant in the Artsakh War

Jakob Jagharyan - Aviation Expert, Commander of Il-76, Participant in the Artsakh War

Avetik Sukiasyan - Commander of A-320 Aircraft, Participant in the Artsakh War

Arman Aslanyan - Commander of A-320 Aircraft

Hovhannes Khachatryan - Commander of Boeing 737 Aircraft

Martin Harutyunyan - Commander of Boeing 737 Aircraft

Ruban Hayrapetyan - Boeing 737 Pilot

Sergey Avagyan - Boeing 737 Pilot

Sergey Gabrielian - Boeing 737 Pilot

Karen Sargsyan - A-320 Pilot

Ara Jagharyan - Boeing 737 Pilot

Navasard Khachatryan - Flight Organization Specialist

Arman Amirkhanyan - Flight Organization Specialist

Nataliya Poghosyan - Aviation Security and Quality Management Specialist

We are confident that our list will eventually include all pilots and aviation specialists with whom we were unable to establish contact. All specialists offer their services selflessly, for the benefit of the Homeland,” the statement reads.