Eight New Airlines Enter Armenian Market in 2023 as PM Visits Civil Aviation Committee

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited the Civil Aviation Committee to discuss the entity's operational report for 2023, according to the Prime Minister's office.

Committee Chairman Miran Khachaturyan and his deputy reported to the Prime Minister on the work carried out in the sector, structural and systemic issues and challenges, as well as the prospects for the industry’s development. They presented the main functions of the Civil Aviation Committee, including regulation, certification, and oversight.

During the reported period, eight new airlines entered the Armenian market, expanding the geography of air transport. In 2023, regular flights were conducted from Armenia to 23 countries and 49 cities, while 12 airlines operated flights to and from Armenia during the tourist season on 13 routes. The passenger flow in the previous year was recorded at 5 million 425 thousand 76, which is 46.7% more than the record set in 2022, with 1 million 817 thousand 321 passengers attributed to local airlines. The volume of passenger transportation by Armenian airlines constituted 33.5% of total air transport, up from 24% the previous year.

It was noted that in 2023, in order to ensure the continuous quality of flight and aviation safety, as well as air transport services, the government conducted checks and studies totaling 200. The number of certificates, licenses, and permits issued for operations in the aviation system amounted to 536 in 2023.

Prime Minister Pashinyan highlighted that one of the important themes in previous discussions was the ongoing increase of safety standards for local airlines. “Now I want to understand what events took place regarding this issue last year,” said the Prime Minister.

Deputy Chairman of the Civil Aviation Committee Stepan Payaslian noted that this is a continuous effort. “It is not that we address this from time to time. It is our daily ongoing work, and all airlines are under control. Each subdivision has its audit schedule, and each one conducts oversight of airlines in its direction. There is no airline that can avoid inspection. This must be permanent. It’s not that there’s an audit once or twice a year; it’s divided into phases.”

Responding, the Prime Minister noted, “The airline is under constant supervision because today we can check that everything is normal, but over a period of two years, its parameters may decline.”

In the previous year, the aviation sector was reinforced with around 500 new employees. It was mentioned that the first Armenian Boeing 737/400 cargo aircraft has been brought to Armenia by Hayways LLC, and the German airline Lufthansa Cargo has entered the Armenian aviation market.

Regarding the import of the cargo aircraft, Nikol Pashinyan asked, “Did we already have or is this the first aircraft that is supposed to operate and has already conducted flights, transporting goods from Armenia?” Miran Khachaturyan responded that the aircraft is in Armenia and will start cargo operations from March after obtaining the airline operator's certificate.

Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Gnel Sanosyan mentioned that if in 2022, every fourth passenger was transported by Armenian airlines, then last year every third passenger was transported by Armenian airlines. “I believe this is an achievement related to the Hayways company and we are in the final phase. There will be the first Armenian airline that specializes in cargo transport. We have a significant increase in cargo transport, and of course, this company is also for providing other services for state needs,” said the minister.

Subsequently, it was reported that significant changes had been made to exit the European Union's flight safety list. The committee has been reinforced with qualified new inspectors, two new specialized structural subdivisions have been formed, and new coefficients for salary calculation have been introduced. Continuous training has been carried out to improve the qualifications of committee employees.

In 2023, several steps were taken to develop general aviation and small aviation, as well as measures aimed at international cargo transport. A legislative change has been enacted resulting in the establishment of a manual regarding the rules for flights of general aviation in airspace classified as Class “G” outside of Armenian-controlled airspace. An aviation event titled “Armenia Air Fest” was organized at the site of the former Stepanavan airport in August 2023.

During the meeting, various topics regarding the training and replenishment of personnel in the aviation sector were also discussed. Prime Minister Pashinyan stressed the development of this strategically important sector and provided specific instructions to those responsible for personnel training,” the statement concluded.