Azerbaijan's National Carrier Paid Armenia €112,000 for Airspace Use

Azerbaijan's national airline AZAL has paid approximately €112,000 to Armenia for the use of its airspace in 2022, according to a response from the Civil Aviation Committee to a written inquiry by Sputnik Armenia.

“From January 1 to November 30, the Azerbaijani airline AZAL has transferred €111,927.22 to ‘HayAeronavigatsiay’ LLC for flights through Armenia’s airspace. The transfer was conducted through the central office of EUROCONTROL, in accordance with established procedures,” the statement reads.

When asked whether Armenia plans to close its airspace to Azerbaijani aircraft in light of the blockade of the Lachin corridor by Baku, the Civil Aviation Committee responded that, in accordance with internationally accepted formats, all international flights are conducted based on pre-approved flight plans.

“Each member state of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) cannot apply a discriminatory approach to the use of its airspace based on the provisions of Article 9 of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation,” the civil aviation response stated.

It was also noted that restrictions on the use of airspace are applied solely for the purpose of ensuring flight safety for all aircraft operators.

Traveling from Armenia to Europe will become easier as we join the EU's Common Aviation Area.

“The issue you raised is beyond the committee’s jurisdiction,” the CAK has said.