“Armenia” airline announced its access to the Armenian aviation market with good advertisement. Still one month ago, the news blew up “like a bomb” that “Armenia” will carry passengers to various destinations, including European, by only 49 euros.
Recently, it turned out that the air ticket for 49 euros is just the net price, excluding the duties and other taxes, while adding these taxes, as recently confirmed by the airline representatives, the cheapest tickets will start from 90-100 euros. The leadership of “Armenia” airline, though have already assured that the first flight is scheduled for April 21, and it seems they are ready to have an access, to take the risk to the Armenian market, anyway, one of the company’s shareholders, Tamaz Gaiashvili, announced that in order to be established they need the support of the Government of Armenia. Incidentally, local “Air Armenia” appearing in the way of bankruptcy has also asked for the support of the Government of Armenia.
Tamaz Gaiashvili does not so much like the policy of “open skies” introduced in Armenia. He told the reporters that the Government of Armenia should define a transition period for Armenians and Georgians, to work for about 50 years, get developed and then shift to an open air mode, “If the state wants to keep its personnel and aviation, it should regulate this sector. The government should set up primary flights of strategic importance, and only one air carrier should have the right to it. In this case, it is possible to stay in the competition and set reasonable air ticket prices.”
Gaiashvili expressed an opinion that aviation is a complicated business and hardly anyone can stand up in this business without the support of the state and have a serious airline in Armenia. Tamaz Gaiashvili has raised these questions only with the journalists and enters the market without the official discussions about the obstacles for efficient operation of their company. He has told the reporters that he relies on God. If by saying God, Gaiashvili means the officials of the Ministry of Economy who will take his recommendations into account, then it means to radically change the policy of open sky.
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In an interview with “Aravot”, Head of the Department of Civil Aviation Policy and Economic Regulation of the Ministry of Economy, Anna Chobanyan, said that no question of changes is raised in the government regarding the policy of “open sky”, “Raising this question and talking about it will mean to give up the policy of “open sky”. Moreover, if we are talking about granting privileges by certain directions, here, we must introduce certain restrictions with an agreement with given country. I am not aware of such a political decision and I think there is no such thing.” Incidentally, shareholder of “Air Armenia”, Arsen Avetisyan, once was talking about the state support.
Yesterday, in an interview with us, Avetisyan said that no need to give a privilege to any local, simply it is necessary to create equal conditions with inter-state agreements for domestic and cross air carrier. Tomorrow, as Avetisyan assured, the destiny of “Air Armenia” will be clear, the healing program either will be approved or not. Gaiashvili also noted that the prices of fuel, navigation service and the service costs of “Zvartnots” airport are high.
In this regard, Anna Chobanyan assured that a research has been conducted, according to which, the prices of “Zvartnots” are normal and do not differ from the prices in other airports, even are very low than some of them, “As for the airline’s statement, then as long as the question is raised at the Ministry of Economy, and still have not discussed this application by the Council, the airline has not yet raised these offers with us, I do not want to and am not competent to comment on their requirements and aviation authorities.”
The airline has not received required certificate from the Ministry of Economy to carry passengers. Chobanyan said the airline has submitted the application, there are some missing documents and after completing them, the issue should be discussed and then either approved or rejected. The airline has received a certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration for operating aircraft. “Regarding the cheap air tickets offered by Armenia airline, Chobanyan said that they are not submitted with documentation substantiation, “I also learned from the press that the taxes and duties are not included in their mention low tariffs, they should also be added to the net tariffs, we must estimate the net price of the operation of specific flight and then to calculate whether the airline can implement a profitable transportation with this price or not, in other words, whether the airline offers a reasonable tariff or not.”
When the “Armenia” airline announced about its access and set up an attractive airline ticket price, many people in Armenia were happy that they will no longer have to take a flight from Tbilisi airport on low price. But Gaiashvili recently admitted that the air tickets in Armenia, however, are 20-30% expensive than from Tbilisi. As to how long “Armenia” will operate and whether it will not have the destiny of “Armavia” and “Air Armenia”, we probably have to wait for 1-2 years to determine it, however, Gaiashvili and other shareholders are well aware of the reasons for the bankruptcy of local airlines. And even if our “open sky” is a serious obstacle for “Armenia” to be established and develop, however, it enters the Armenian market.
Nelly BABAYAN, “Aravot” daily
How does someone get to Armenia fromSydney if they want to fly an Armenian airline at the moment there is no way? There are Armenians in other countries that want to to come to Armenia but won’t fly other airlines what do we do? Thank you.