Arminfo.info



 Tuesday, December 10 2013

Isahakyan Gayane

Open skies policy to reduce prices of flights to Armenia by 10-50% on the average: CEO of National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia

The open skies policy will reduce the prices of flights to Armenia by 10-50% on the average. This will allow the country to additionally increase the GDP by 1.5% or $0.3-0.4 bln AMD per annum, Arman Khachatryan, CEO of the  National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia, said at a press  conference on Tuesday.  

This indicator is mentioned in the program on ensuring provision of  competitive and longlasting air services in Armenia elaborated on the  basis of a joint survey by McKinsey&Company and the National  Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia. Khachatryan thinks that  Armenia will be able to reach that target in 3-4 years. "The conduct  of the open skies policy will lead to growth in the country's  commodity turnover and will increase the inflow of tourists", he  said. 

In particular, passenger operations are expected to rise by 20-25%,  he said. In the meantime, 18- 23 thsd well-paid jobs will be created  in the aviation sector.  

In the context of the new concept "at least one cost-effective air  company" will be launched in spring 2014. Khachatryan said that the  air ticket prices in that company will be low, and the company will  make flights to 10 cities of Europe. He failed to specify who is the  founder of the company, whether the state has a share in it and  whether the company has already been granted a license. 

Khachatryan pointed out that in Armenia air ticket prices are by 60%  higher than in the neighboring countries due to the restricted  geography of flights and low competition in the market. He thinks  that the open skies policy implies full liberalization of the  aviation sector. Moreover, the market will be liberalized for not  only foreign but also local air companies. "We suppose that by 2016  the number of foreign and local air companies in Armenia will range  from 40 to 50", he said. 

Air Armenia company appeared on the Armenian air market in Oct 2013  causing a significant drop in prices. Transporting cargoes since  2003, Air Armenia carried out its first passenger charter flight to  Rostov- on-Don on Oct 3 and the first regular flight to Moscow on Oct  27. The company has two planes: Boeing 737-500 and Airbus 320. 

The company's Executive Director Arsen Avetisyan told ArmInfo earlier  that it is inadmissible that local air carriers face restrictions,  while foreign companies enjoy open skies. He explained that it was the recommendation of the Government's advisor, McKinsey & Company,  who believes that in order to be eligible to provide air services, a  company should have a capital of at least $25mln and enough free  funds to operate at least five planes within three months. 

But, according to Avetisyan, in order to be able to do it, a company  should have a capital of no less than $60mln. This requirement seems  absurd to him as a company cannot have five planes unless it is  allowed to fly: no single leasing company will give it a plane –  whatever its financial status is – unless it has a license to fly.  So, Avetisyan sees in this recommendation an attempt to debar  national air companies from air services in Armenia and to  artificially restrict their activities so as to curb their  development.

In Jan-Oct 2013 1.5mln people used air services in Armenia (1.8% less  than a year before).

POST A COMMENT
Input digits     

Russian FM last contacted his Armenian counterpart last Nov Russian FM last contacted his Armenian counterpart last Nov 
No one in Armenia has the right to surrender territory to anyoneNo one in Armenia has the right to surrender territory to anyone
Speaker of Armenian, Azerbaijani parliaments to continue contacts Speaker of Armenian, Azerbaijani parliaments to continue contacts 
Armenian leadership deliberately leads Armenian-Russian relations to  collapse - LavrovArmenian leadership deliberately leads Armenian-Russian relations to  collapse - Lavrov
ECHR accepts complaints in cases of Armen Ashotyan and Artur  Danielyan for preliminary proceedings ECHR accepts complaints in cases of Armen Ashotyan and Artur  Danielyan for preliminary proceedings 
Freedom House ranks Artsakh Not Free after Azerbaijani occupation; it  losses 40 points at onceFreedom House ranks Artsakh Not Free after Azerbaijani occupation; it  losses 40 points at once
"Europeans for Artsakh" platform outlines Artsakh`s interests  protecting vector 
Government  allocates about AMD1.4 billion to properly organize 100th  anniversary events of Sergey Parajanov, Charles AznavourGovernment  allocates about AMD1.4 billion to properly organize 100th  anniversary events of Sergey Parajanov, Charles Aznavour
France expresses readiness to consider UFAR`s development and  expansion agenda within Academic City project France expresses readiness to consider UFAR`s development and  expansion agenda within Academic City project 
Armenia to send 30 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza StripArmenia to send 30 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza Strip
No No "governments in exile" for Armenia`s premier 
Armenia is turning into extremely dangerous instrument in the hands  of the West - Maria Zakharova Armenia is turning into extremely dangerous instrument in the hands  of the West - Maria Zakharova 
Former Nagorno-Karabakh president calls on France to expert pressure  on Azerbaijan Former Nagorno-Karabakh president calls on France to expert pressure  on Azerbaijan 
Housing programme for forcibly displaced people to be presented next  month - vice-premier Housing programme for forcibly displaced people to be presented next  month - vice-premier 
40+10 assistance programme for forcibly displaced people to be  extended until end 2024 40+10 assistance programme for forcibly displaced people to be  extended until end 2024 
CSTO Sec Gen on Armenia`s participation in CSTO work CSTO Sec Gen on Armenia`s participation in CSTO work 
Meeting in Brussels is to focus on Armenia`s economic resilience -  U.S. Department of State Meeting in Brussels is to focus on Armenia`s economic resilience -  U.S. Department of State 
Upcoming high-level meeting in Brussels not directed against any  third party - Armenia`s foreign office  Upcoming high-level meeting in Brussels not directed against any  third party - Armenia`s foreign office  
World has experience in development of even failed states - Artak  Zakaryan World has experience in development of even failed states - Artak  Zakaryan 
Zakharova: information on Azerbaijan`s arms supplies to Ukraine is  carefully checkedZakharova: information on Azerbaijan`s arms supplies to Ukraine is  carefully checked
Russian Foreign Ministry: France`s actions are hindering  implementation of Azerbaijan-Armenia agreements Russian Foreign Ministry: France`s actions are hindering  implementation of Azerbaijan-Armenia agreements 
Russian Foreign Ministry: Anything that will benefit the people of  Armenia is only welcomedRussian Foreign Ministry: Anything that will benefit the people of  Armenia is only welcomed
Gnel Sanosyan: Upon completion of demarcation and delimitation  process, there will be no unresolved problemsGnel Sanosyan: Upon completion of demarcation and delimitation  process, there will be no unresolved problems
Statements by Alen Simonyan are carte blanche for aggression:  Opposition MPStatements by Alen Simonyan are carte blanche for aggression:  Opposition MP
Armenia does not join  CSTO PA delegations heads  statement  condemning violent terrorist attack in Crocus City HallArmenia does not join  CSTO PA delegations heads  statement  condemning violent terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall
NA Speaker: I would like to meet with a person who can prove on a map  that the four villages of Tavush belong to ArmeniaNA Speaker: I would like to meet with a person who can prove on a map  that the four villages of Tavush belong to Armenia
National Assembly Speaker: there were no political overtones in my  meeting with Svetlana TikhanovskayaNational Assembly Speaker: there were no political overtones in my  meeting with Svetlana Tikhanovskaya
Armenian PM, French parliamentarians discuss processes in South  Caucasus Armenian PM, French parliamentarians discuss processes in South  Caucasus 
Baku irritated by Pashinyan`s upcoming meeting with Blinken and Von  der LeyneBaku irritated by Pashinyan`s upcoming meeting with Blinken and Von  der Leyne
French delegation inspects security in Sotk mine French delegation inspects security in Sotk mine
Offering Armenia EU candidate status makes its pivot to West  irreversible - report Offering Armenia EU candidate status makes its pivot to West  irreversible - report 
AraratBank places its 27th issue of dollar bondsAraratBank places its 27th issue of dollar bonds
Armenian MP meet with Danish counterparts  Armenian MP meet with Danish counterparts  
Surrender of Tavush villages to destroy locals` ecosystem - expert Surrender of Tavush villages to destroy locals` ecosystem - expert 
Renowned Swiss-American lutenist to perform in Armenia  Renowned Swiss-American lutenist to perform in Armenia  
Azerbaijan uses military-political leaders of Artsakh in captivity to  achieve its propaganda goals - statementAzerbaijan uses military-political leaders of Artsakh in captivity to  achieve its propaganda goals - statement
No details of upcoming meeting between Armenia`s premier, U.S. Sec of  State, European Commission president No details of upcoming meeting between Armenia`s premier, U.S. Sec of  State, European Commission president 
People of Nagorno-Karabakh determined to return to their homeland -  Leevon KocharyanPeople of Nagorno-Karabakh determined to return to their homeland -  Leevon Kocharyan
Armenian committed to peace and stability in South Caucasus Armenian committed to peace and stability in South Caucasus 
Tatoyan Foundation, together with other human rights organizations,  publishes joint report on torture committed by Azerbaijan against  ArmeniansTatoyan Foundation, together with other human rights organizations,  publishes joint report on torture committed by Azerbaijan against  Armenians
Mirzoyan: Armenia considers Argentina as reliable partner in South  AmericaMirzoyan: Armenia considers Argentina as reliable partner in South  America
French Ambassador: The right of Artsakh people to return to their  homeland has been violatedFrench Ambassador: The right of Artsakh people to return to their  homeland has been violated
State Dept on US policy principles in relations with ArmeniaState Dept on US policy principles in relations with Armenia
Slander aimed at removing National Democratic Pole from political  arena: party responds to IC Slander aimed at removing National Democratic Pole from political  arena: party responds to IC 
Armenian diplomat to EU special rep: Aliyev regime is gearing up for  new aggression against Armenia, as he faced no consequences for last  onesArmenian diplomat to EU special rep: Aliyev regime is gearing up for  new aggression against Armenia, as he faced no consequences for last  ones
ICLaw presents cases of 8 Armenian servicemen to UN Working Group on  Enforced DisappearancesICLaw presents cases of 8 Armenian servicemen to UN Working Group on  Enforced Disappearances
Following Armenian foreign office, references to Artsakh `disappear`  from president`s websiteFollowing Armenian foreign office, references to Artsakh `disappear`  from president`s website
Sati Spivakova and the Moscow Theater of Nations soon in YerevanSati Spivakova and the Moscow Theater of Nations soon in Yerevan
CSTO Secretary General calls for creation of tools to counter  terrorismCSTO Secretary General calls for creation of tools to counter  terrorism
No discussions yet held on the issue of Armenia`s new Constitution -  minister No discussions yet held on the issue of Armenia`s new Constitution -  minister 
Establishment of lasting peace and stability in South Caucasus  Armenia`s top priority - Nikol Pashinyan Establishment of lasting peace and stability in South Caucasus  Armenia`s top priority - Nikol Pashinyan 
Azerbaijan should end the intimidation and harassment of journalists  and civil society activists - Dunja MijatovicAzerbaijan should end the intimidation and harassment of journalists  and civil society activists - Dunja Mijatovic
Armenia`s minister of justice on reforms in judicial system Armenia`s minister of justice on reforms in judicial system 
Armenian expert on Azerbaijan`s policy of misappropriation of  Armenian heritage Armenian expert on Azerbaijan`s policy of misappropriation of  Armenian heritage 
Incident with ex-minister of defense followed by numerous dismissals  - minister Incident with ex-minister of defense followed by numerous dismissals  - minister 
Russia is going through a rather difficult period in relations with  friendly, fraternal Armenia - Russian presidential spokesman Russia is going through a rather difficult period in relations with  friendly, fraternal Armenia - Russian presidential spokesman 
Azerbaijan creates artificial grounds for military aggression against  Armenia - Arman Tatoyan Azerbaijan creates artificial grounds for military aggression against  Armenia - Arman Tatoyan 
Armenian FM takes part in presentation of book Armenian FM takes part in presentation of book "Armenian Buenos  Aires" 
Threats against Armenia in Azerbaijani media channels unacceptable -  Toivo KlaarThreats against Armenia in Azerbaijani media channels unacceptable -  Toivo Klaar
Opposition MP: Threatening people with war is not the mission of  country`s leaderOpposition MP: Threatening people with war is not the mission of  country`s leader