Negotiations Underway for Aircraft's Return to Yerevan Today, Says Avinyan on 'Missing' Plane

Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan has reported that negotiations are currently taking place to facilitate the return of the Armenian aircraft stranded in Iran back to Yerevan today. Avinyan made this statement during a Q&A session with the government in the National Assembly, responding to questions from 'Bright Armenia' faction member Armen Yeghiazaryan.

He revealed that in order to conduct the necessary operations related to the aircraft, 'Fly Armenia Airways' has officially applied to the Committee for a special permit for a single empty flight from Tallinn, Estonia to Ukraine’s Gostomel Airport, assuming full responsibility for the flight, which does not contradict any international aviation requirements.

“However, the said aircraft, violating the destination permissions previously granted by the committee, conducted a flight not according to its approved itinerary but towards Varna Airport, and subsequently directed toward Sharjah, but under unclear circumstances made a landing at Iran's Mehrabad Airport,” Avinyan noted.

The Deputy Prime Minister stated that the responsibility for air traffic services, flight organization, and obtaining permissions rests solely with the operating airline. “According to both the flight crew and the Iranian aviation authorities, the landing had a technical nature, and preliminary information indicates there were fuel-related issues. Negotiations are currently underway to ensure that the aircraft returns to Yerevan today,” Avinyan added.