Syunik Airport Can Conduct International Flights, Director Says

The potential of Syunik Airport can fully meet the requirements for conducting international flights. This was stated by the airport's director, Karen Vardanyan, in an interview with Armenpress.

He noted that there are certain legal and technical issues that, if regulated by the state, could allow for the establishment of Syunik as an international hub in a short timeframe.

According to the director, the Armenian government is investing in relevant equipment to reduce dependence on weather conditions, enhance the operational efficiency of Syunik Airport, and decrease the number of flight cancellations.

“A device for measuring the lower cloud layer height has already been installed. In the near future, we plan to install VOR/DME equipment, which will allow pilots to receive more information and significantly reduce the likelihood of flight cancellations,” Vardanyan said.

The smooth operation of Syunik Airport is entirely supported by financial resources allocated by the philanthropic fund of the Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine. In 2023, the fund provided more than 150 million drams to the airport. According to Vardanyan, the airport currently does not require new investments to solve the challenges it faces.

It should be noted that currently only flights from Yerevan land at Syunik Airport, but in the visible future, flights to other countries may also be opened from here. This southern Armenian airport was originally designed and built with the potential to serve international flights.

The first flight of the Yerevan-Kapan-Yerevan route took place back on April 26 of last year. It was of a technical nature. Commercial passenger transport began on August 21 and is being conducted twice a week—on Mondays and Fridays. Some work has been done for the reactivation of Goris Airport.