Armavia deems speculations over Aleppo-Yerevan air tickets possible

Armavia Armenian airline company has officially denied the Syrians’ statement on the alleged letter the company received from RA Ministry of Diaspora.
“Dwelling on the rumors regarding the high ticket prices for Aleppo-Yerevan route, Armavia assesses the information as false,” according to the company’s press service.
Armavia’s message further named aircraft provision (a special expensive aircraft was purchased for the purpose), passenger service and transportation among the company’s goals.
In the message, Armenian national airline offers to address all issues related to the price and sale of tickets for Aleppo-Yerevan-Aleppo route to Syrian agents in charge of them. Air tickets for Aleppo-Yerevan route have been sold out until for the late August, which doesn’t rule out speculations.
“Special programs should be implemented in the given case. Armavia air company exercises no other rights and privileges besides its direct obligations,” the message reads.

Source: panarmenian.net

Armavia has not raised the ticket prices

Armenian national airways Armavia airline has not raised the ticket prices. As Armavia airline company informed Armenpress, there are no significant changes concerning to the departing aircraft charges in the course of the last two months.
The increase was  within 2000-5000 AMD, resulted by euro exchange rate fluctuations air company   commercial department informed. The flights to Moscow, Krasnodar, Simferopol, and Barcelona prevail among the frequently travelled directions. No ticket price rising is recorded pertain to these directions.
Armavia has denied circulating rumors on the increase of Syria-Armenia flights and that  resultantly   our compatriots prefer coming Homeland by transit ways.
Currently Aleppo-Yerevan flight ticket costs 118 600 up to 210 300 AMD. Weekly one flight is implemented on Mondays.
Armavia has suspended its flights to Syria during several months, clarifying with the interstate complicated situation in Syria.
Yerevan-Aleppo flights were reopened on July 9.

Source: armenpress.am

Armavia Airlines Resumes Syria Flights

An Armavia plane flew to Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, on Monday and returned to Yerevan the following day for the first time in nearly four months.
The company suspended the flight service in March, citing the worsening security situation. Air communication between the two countries has been carried out only by the Syrian Air airline since then. Its Yerevan-Aleppo flights have been fully booked until September, a fact that led to calls for Armavia to enable more Syrian Armenians to take refuge in their country of ancestors.
The Armenian carrier said late last month that it has decided to resume the weekly service at the request of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. The airline spokeswoman, Nana Avetisova, said on Wednesday that all 104 tickets for its first July flight from Aleppo were quickly sold. Avetisova denied reports that Armavia has sharply raised the ticket prices.
Hundreds of Syrian Armenians are believed to have moved to Armenia in recent months. According to immigration authorities in Yerevan, about 3,000 of them applied for Armenian citizenship last year and another 2,700 in the first five months of this year.
Garbis Arabaltian, a middle-aged hairdresser from Aleppo, was among 320 people who arrived in Yerevan on a Syrian Air flight early on Wednesday. He was greeted at the Zvartnots airport by his teenage son, who migrated to Armenia two months ago and has already found a job at a Yerevan hotel. “It’s better to be in the homeland,” said the young man.
Arabaltian said his wife and younger son will join them soon. “My wife had a real ordeal last week,” he told RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun.am).  “She was at a clinic where [armed men] terrorized a doctor.”
“Things are very tense,” said one woman. “We don’t know what will happen next. For example, there was an explosion yesterday. Everyone was shocked but fortunately … nobody was hurt.”
Not all arriving Syrian Armenians have decided to relocate to Armenia on a permanent basis. Some of them said they plan to stay in the country for several months and monitor further developments at home.
“This is our third trip to Armenia this year,” said one man who arrived at Zvartnots with his family. He said he will fly back to Aleppo later this month and will be joined by his wife and children in September.
He said the turmoil in Syria is not the only reason why they travelled to Armenia. “There is a desire to come to Armenia and this situation is helping us to do that. We also have [Armenian] identity and own a home here,” he explained.

Source: asbarez.com

“Armavia” to get Airbus and Boeing types of aircraft

“Armavia” airlines representatives met the ones of “Airbus” and “Boeing” companies in the Great Britain aviasalon, after which the national run airline has decided to acquire “Airbus” and “Boeing” types of each aircraft.
As “Armavia” airlines spokeswoman Nana Avetisova  stated  in the interview with “Armenpress”, the transaction details are kept confidential and will be known only after the end of the aviasalon. Earlier, the “Armavia” company refused the intention of acquiring another aircraft from “Sukhoi” company. The mass media speculates the information  that  the Compnay's unstable financial condition resulted in the refusal of  the deal .
The Armenian airlines signed a contract with the “Sukhoi” company on acquiring two aircraft. The first supjet was delivered to “Armavia” on April 19 ,2011 : the second one should be already achieved this month.The Russian newest aircraft currently operate only two airlines – “Aeroflot” and “Armavia”.

Source: armenpress.am

Armenian national carrier prefers Airbus and Boeing to Superjet

Armenian national carrier Armavia said it plans to purchase Airbus and Boeing airliners.
Representatives of Armavia met with counterparts from both producers during the Farnborough International Airshow in Britain, Interfax reports.
Air company said the details of the deal will be issued later after the close of the air show.
Meanwhile, this week Armavia announced it refused to buy the second Sukhoi Superjet 100 plane. The reason might be financial difficulties the company is faced with, the agency says.
A handover ceremony of the first Sukhoi Superjet-100 that arrived in Armenia was held at the Zvartnots international airport in Yerevan in April 2011.

Source: news.am

Armenia Cancels SSJ Order

Armenian national carrier Armavia will not be buying a second Sukhoi Superjet 100, the company has said.
"Armenia is not going to buy it," airline spokeswoman Nana Avetisova told Interfax on Monday. She did not give a reason for the cancellation.
Armavia, which has a single Superjet, was the first airline to launch commercial flights using the SSJ in April 2011. It was due to take delivery of a second aircraft between June 20 and July 30 this year. The only other SSJ operator so far is Aeroflot, which has eight of the aircraft. Russian media have reported that Aeroflot's fleet has been plagued by technical difficulties. The Superjet's reputation suffered a blow when one flew into the side of an Indonesian volcano during a demonstration flight in May, killing 45 people.

Source: themoscowtimes.com

On Board: Armavia resumes air link for ethnic Armenians fleeing from war-torn Syria

Armenia’s national air carrier Armavia has resumed the Yerevan-Aleppo-Yerevan flight, which was suspended in late March over escalating violence in Syria. The direct Armenia-Syria flight has great importance for Christian Armenians caught amid the internal strife in Syria.

Armavia airline press secretary Nana Avetisova told ArmeniaNow that now the company will have only one flight per week; and if the demand grows the number of flights will grow, respectively.

Late in March the national air carrier suspended the Yerevan-Aleppo-Yerevan flight explaining its step by the danger connected with the civil war in Syria. But because Syrian-Armenians keep coming to Armenia and taking refuge here (their number has reached about 3,000), and Syrian Airlines carrying out the Yerevan-Aleppo-Yerevan flight has sold out all tickets up until September, His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, turned to Armavia, asking the company to resume the flights to and from Aleppo.

Meghri Hayitian, 21, moved to Armenia together with her family about four months ago. She told ArmeniaNow that she had been informed about more Syrian-Armenians’ arrival.

“On July 11, some of my relatives will arrive in Armenia by plane, too,” Hayitian said.
However, as Syrian-Armenian journalist Harut Yekmanian told ArmeniaNow, most Syrian-Armenians still prefer escaping to neighboring Lebanon and European countries and not Armenia. (According to the data of Armenia’s Diaspora Ministry, more than 50,000 ethnic Armenians reside in Syria). Yekmanian says that throughout this year the Aleppo-Yerevan flight has always been overloaded, and it is wrong to suppose that now more Syrian-Armenians have started coming to Armenia.

“Those who used to come for a visit are the ones now coming to Armenia,” Yekmanian concludes.
Information has recently been circulated in the press that Armavia has hiked the ticket price for the Yerevan-Aleppo flight up to 237,000 drams (about $568) against the previous 119,000 drams (about $285). Avetisova reported that the ticket prices had become 128,000 drams (about $306), and the price increase is connected with safety issues and Syria’s refusal to provide insurance. Nevertheless, it is impossible to find a ticket at $306 in travel agencies in Yerevan. For example, Geographic Travel representatives told ArmeniaNow that all the economy class tickets are sold out until August, and the tickets of higher class cost 250,000 drams (about $600).

Source: armenianow.com

Armavia denies information about its sale - News | ArmeniaNow.com

Armavia denies information about its sale - News | ArmeniaNow.com

Armavia denies information about its sale

Armenia’s national air carrier, Armavia, considers the widespread news about the sale of the company absurd and announced the company is expanding the geography of flights and continues its normal work.

As Armavia’s spokesperson told Armenpress, the airline is launching Amman and Milan summer flights.

Russian media is awash with reports that Armavia may be sold to former MP Harutyun Pambukyan, who is reportedly ready to offer $55 million for acquiring it from Mikhail Bagdasarov. According to sources, Armavia has serious financial problems and debts.

Armavia is the only Armenia-based airline. Its aircraft fleet includes 11 airplanes. It carries out 100 flights a week in more than 40 destinations.

Source: armenianow.com

Armenia’s national airline company denies news about its sale

Armavia Airline Company is not being sold, Company Press Secretary Nana Avetisova told Armenian News-NEWS.am. 

According to her, the news about Armavia being sold is absurd and, on the contrary, the Company is currently attempting to expand the geographical scope of its flights.   

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, the Russian gazeta.ru  website on Monday posted a large article on Russian companies’ desire to purchase the Armavia Airline Company, which is Armenia’s national carrier. And it was even mentioned that the initial business deal price is US$ 55 million.      

To note, former Armenian MP Harutyun Pambukyan was co-owner of the Max Group Company. But according to most recent information, he left the company and, now, he conducts business in Moscow.

And Pambukyan already made a formal offer to Armavia’s owner Mikhail Baghdasarov, gazeta.ru wrote.

Source: news.am

“Armavia” company may be bought by Harutyun Pambukyan

Armenian businessman, former deputy Harutyun Pambukyan wants to buy “Armavia” aviation company from his current owner Mika Baghdasarov. Russian Gazeta.ru has written an article named “Moscow pretends “Armavia””. In the article the news agency refers to its sources and informs that “Armavia” will be sold to the Armenian businessman living in Moscow.
Armenian national aviation-company has some financial problems and “Rosaviation” aims to expand Armenian market for the Russian companies.
According to the source Harutyun Pambukyan has already made the appropriate offer to the “Armavia” owner.
“He offered 55 million USD for the aviation company”, the source informed the news agency but not announce the names of the Russian investors who pretends for the actives.
According to the source the company may be sold till the end of this year.
“Armavia” is the only aviation company in Armenia. The company’s air park consists of 3 Airbus A319, 2 Airbus A320, 2 CRJ-200LR, 1ЯК-42 and 1 Sukhoi Superjet 100. 1 SSJ-100 is expected soon as well.

Source: http://times.am

No sale of Armavia airline – rep

The reports on the sale of Armavia airline to the businessman Harutyun Pambunkyan and a number of Russian businessmen are false.

Armavia Press Secretary Nana Avetisyan refuted the reports as absurd.

She noted that the airline is expanding its flight geography – more flights to Beirut will be made, and a flight to Birmingham has been opened.

Amravia plans to lease an Airbus А320. The airline has also opened new flights, Amman and Milan, for the summer season.

Russian mass media reported that a pool of Russian investors intends to purchase the Armavia airline.

Armavia owner Mikhail Baghdasarov reportedly received a business proposition from Harutyun Pambunkyan, an ex-member of Armenia’s parliament, who is now residing in Moscow. He is reportedly offering $55m for the airline. The airline may be sold by the end of this year, the source reports, without naming the Russian investors.

Source: tert.am

Armenian businessman Harutyun Pambukyan wants to buy Armavia

A businessman, former MP Harutyun Pambukyan wants to buy Armavia airline from its current owner Mikhail Baghdasarov, gazeta.ru says, citing its sources.

The national carrier has serious financial issues while Rosaviatsia wants to expand Armenian market for Russian airlines.

According to the source, Pambukyan has already proposed a deal to the owner. “Together with his Moscow partners, he is offering $55 million for acquiring the airline,” the media reports, without revealing the names of the Russian investors. The source claims the deal may be concluded by the end of the year.

Armavia is the only airline in Armenia.

Source: tert.am

Pambukyan will "Armavia" kaufen

Der Unternehmer Harutyun Pambukyan will mit seinen Kollegen in Moskau die Gesellschaft "Armavia" kaufen. Die Gesellschaft hat ernste Finanzprobleme.
"Pambukyan will mit seinen russischen Kollegen "Armavia" mit 55 Millionen Dollar kaufen", - darüber schreibt Gazeta.ru.

Source: slaq.am

Armenia's national airline resuming flights to Syria on request from the Catholicos

Armenia's national airline, Armavia, is due to resume on July 2 regular flights to Aleppo, a Syrian city where the majority of the Arab country's ethnic Armenian community lives, after suspending them in March due to due to the domestic political crisis in Syria, company spokeswoman Nana Avetisova said.

"In view of great demand for Yerevan-Aleppo-Yerevan flights and a request from the Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians it has been decided to resume traffic," Avetisova told Interfax.

Initially there would be one flight per week in each direction, but there would be more flights afterward if necessary, she said.

There are 60,000 ethnic Armenians in Syria. Aleppo is home to 45,000 of them.

Earlier, foreign Armenian foreign minister Vartan Oskanyan made an entry on his Facebook page urging the Armenian government to help Syria's ethnic Armenians.

Yerevan-Aleppo flights have been suspended since March 25, 2012.

Source: interfax-religion.com

Armenian Airline to Resume Flight to Troubled Syrian City

Armenian air carrier Armavia announced Friday that it is to resume the flight to the Syrian city of Aleppo next week.
The Yerevan-Aleppo flight, which has been put on hold because of the situation in Syria, will take place every Monday, local media outlet Armenpress quoted Nana Avetisova, the company's press-secretary, as saying.
"We are resuming the flight because of the request from Armenian society" and others, said Avetisova, adding that it will offer Syrian Armenians the opportunity to reach Armenia in case of emergency.
The Syrian Armenian community currently numbers nearly 100,000, according to the report.

Source: english.cri.cn

Armavia restores Yerevan-Aleppo flights

“Armavia” national carrier company restores Yerevan-Aleppo regular flights. Armenpress was informed from the press responsible person of the company Nana Avetisova that from July 2 each Monday with periodicity one flight in a week will be implemented Yerevan-Aleppo flights. It is possible that in future the schedule is reviewed.
“We restored the flights based on request of society, individual citizens and His Holiness Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians” mentioned Avetisova.
Yerevan-Aleppo flights were stopped since March of current year based on security concerns because of international difficult situation.
Because of clashes which last already 16 months more than 10 000 people have died in Syria. Armenian community also had losses: 6 Armenians have been killed, 4 of them were soldiers of Syrian army.

Source: armenpress.am

Armavia restores Yerevan-Aleppo flights

From July 2nd the Armenian national carrier Armavia will restore the Yerevan-Aleppo flights, suspended from March 25, taking into consideration the situation in Syria and its consequences.

Meanwhile, expert in Arabic studies Suren Manukyan says that the Syrian events may continue for years. He does not see the possibility of solving the issue at this point.

The shooting down of the Turkish warplane by Syria was a message to Turkey to hint that its relations with neighbors would aggravate. However, the expert says Damascus could not have made the decision on its own. Therefore, he is assured that it was supported by Moscow.

The reaction of the West to the incident was interesting. According to Suren Manukyan, this means that the West is not ready for war. “If NATO ignores this, it means that it cannot be a reason for war,” he said.

The expert believes the West is implementing a different program in Syria. It is trying to exert influence on the events through financial-economic sanctions. 

Source: armradio.am

Armavia air company resumes flights to Aleppo

Armavia air company announced resumption of regular flights to Aleppo starting July 2.
The flight will be operating once a week, on Mondays, the air company’s press service said.

Source: panarmenian.net

Yerevan-Amman new flight has been opened

“Armavia” company continues to implement the policy of expanding the geography of the flights. The best proof of it is the fact that on June 13 the frist flight from Yerevan to the capital of Jordan Amman was implemented. The first passengers od the flight became the owner of “Armavia” company Michael Baghdasarov, journalists as well as passengers who had waited for a long time to the opening of this flight. Armenpress reports that the flight was implemented by “Boeing 737” plane which was named after famous Armenian painter Hovhaness Aivazovsky. One of the passengers Garnik Avagyan was going to visit his daughter. He stressed the importance of the flight because due to it he would be able to visit his daughter not once in three or four years but more frequently: the direct flight is cheaper and faster. Michael Baghdasarov told journalists that before opening the flight he had studied the field and highly estimated its necessity. “We are sure that it will be very good for Armenian tourists will be opened with their whole beauty Amman and Red sea” he said. Michael Baghdasarov mentioned that steps must be implemented in order to increase the cooperation. “It will be comfortable to visit Amman not only in summer but in spring and autumn as it is warm here. I am sure that everyone will enjoy it” he said. There will be one flight during the week – on Wednesdays, but it is not excluded that in future it can be implemented twice or three timed a week.

Source: armenpress.am 

Armenian Airline, Airport ‘Settle’ Dispute

The Armenian government said on Tuesday that it has helped the Armavia national airline to settle a bitter financial dispute with Yerevan’s Zvartnots international airport that threatened to disrupt flights to and from the country.

The dispute centers on Armavia’s $6.2 million debt to the airport incurred for ground services which the private carrier considers extremely expensive. Armavia’s owner, Mikhail Bagdasarov, last week threatened to file for bankruptcy unless an Argentine company managing Zvartnots cuts the service fees.

Bagdasarov claimed that some of those tariffs are two and even three times higher than at much larger airports in Russia and Europe. He gave the Zvartnots management until Tuesday to address his demands.

A spokeswoman for Armenia’s Civil Aviation Department told RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun.am) that the two sides reached a compromise agreement during two-day negotiations mediated by the department chief, Artyom Movsesian. “The two sides have reached an agreement and will operate on mutually beneficial conditions,” Nelli Cherchinian said.

In Cherchinian’s words, the settlement envisages “expedient conditions for Armavia to repay its debts and continue its operations.” “A clear timetable for debt repayment has been developed,” she said.

The official declined to specify whether Zvartnots agreed to lower its service fees. Neither the airport administration nor Armavia could be reached for comment.

The two companies already announced a compromise deal in March last year after the airport delayed several Armavia flights because of outstanding debts.

Source: azatutyun.am

Zvartnots Airport makes concession to Armavia

Upon completion of meeting on March 13 between Zvartnots International Airport and Armavia Air Company through support of General Department of Civil Aviation of Armenia (GDCA), it became clear that the company will further continue its activity, Nelly Cherchinyan, GDCA spokesperson said.
“Zvartnots made concessions, setting the debt repayment plan for the air company,” she told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, adding that Armavia will launch flights with no delay under the agreements reached.

Source: panarmenian.net

Zvartnots, Armavia reached agreement

Talks between “Zvartnots” airport and “Armavia” Airlines Company are over in Civil Aviation Department (CAD). Spokesperson for CAD Nelly Cherchinyan told Panorama.am Zvartnots is prepared to compromise with Armavia’s requirements and the sides have reached a certain agreement.

N. Cherchinyan refused to introduce more details saying the sides have prepared debt payment schedule, and “Armenia” international airports have promised to compromise with Armavia. Armavia airlines agreed to hold regular flights.
Further information about the agreement is not yet revealed.

Source: panorama.am

Armenian major airport and national carrier are to resume negotiations

The representatives of Armavia Company and Zvartnots airport will meet on Tuesday in order to discuss the situation and further steps towards Armavia’s demand to lower service charges, spokesperson of the General Department of Civil Aviation Nelli Cherchinyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.
She mentioned that currently all the flights of Armavia are carried out regularly. But it is not known what is to happen after tomorrow’s meeting. To note, the relations of Armavia company and Zvartnots airport deteriorated in the beginning of the month. Armavia declared a strike on March 6 explaining it with the service prices of the airport.
In its turn, “Armenia” International Airports Company stated that because of the accumulated debts, Armavia Company is prohibited to carry out flights toward Russia and enter Russian air space. Moreover, it negatively assesses Armavia Airline Company’s inappropriate exploitation and its unfounded and false comments, and regrets that solely the national carrier has found itself in such situation.

Source: news.am

Armavia looks for buyer?

Owner of Armavia Airlines Mikhail Baghdasarov has lately announced that Armavia will declare bankruptcy unless Zvartnots Airport reduces service costs.
Aravot daily writes that a former civil aviation official has noted that “someone has his eye on this business.”
“If they say that there is a buyer for Armavia, I will be happy to sell it. Who wants to buy it? Show me that man,” said Baghdasarov.
The newspaper reminds readers that Armenian Airlines had declared bankruptcy due to large debts, and the consequences of that are still felt.

Source: panorama.am

Armavia to declare bankruptcy

According to Hayatsk daily, Armavia has resumed flights but Mikhail Baghdasarov does not believe in the guarantees given by Zvartnots Airport. He is confident that the airport will make no concessions, because it pursues a single purpose: to get super-profit by setting high prices for flights and making the airlines bankrupt.
“Therefore, according to Baghdasarov, Armavia will declare bankruptcy soon,” writes the newspaper.
 

Source: panorama.am

Rosaviatsia permits Armavia to resume flights to Russia

The Federal Russian Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) resumed servicing aircrafts of national airline of Armenia Armavia, allowing the company’s flights to Russia before March 20, 2012, the Russian agency’s official press release says.
Rosaviatsia noted that the agency received a letter of guaranteed dated March 6 from Armavia, with the latter pledging to repay part of the debt for last December at the amount of USD 178 thous. by March 20, 2012. The agency noted that servicing Armavia aircrafts was suspended following reiterated warnings of the company regarding the “necessity to pay for air navigation services of its aircrafts in Russian airspace,” Lenta.ru reports.
Armavia Air Company declared strike today, March 6, spokesperson for the national carrier said.
“The strike is caused by the new pricing policy of Yerevan Zvartnots airport which raised the service rates,” Nana Avetisova told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.
Avetisova said all flights are cancelled until price review. Armenia International Airports CJSC already responded to the strike negatively assessing Armavia's “improper speculations and groundless and false comments”.
“Armavia Company cancelled flights from Yerevan to Moscow and Rostov at 6:45 am on March 6 informing the passengers that the flights are cancelled due to high prices specified by the airport. In this regard, we inform that unlike other air companies, Armavia enjoys privileges of our special rates as a national Armenian air carrier. Furthermore, according to a telegram received by Rosaviatsia, Armavia was banned from operating flights to Russia and enter Russia air space due to accumulated debts of the company. Apparently, Armavia considers not only Armenian but also Russian tariffs to be too high for the company,” the statement said.

Source: panarmenian.net

National carrier Armavia resumes flights

Armavia Air Company has resumed operation. According to Armenia International Airports CJSC, Armavia reached an agreement with the Federal Russian Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) regarding the company’s debts.
On Tuesday, March 6, RA General Department of Civil Aviation hosted a meeting between representatives of Armenia International Airports CJSC and Armavia Air Company. A decision was taken to hold another meeting on coming Tuesday.
“Hopefully, both passengers of Armavia and other airline companies will be serviced properly,” Armenia International Airports CJSC message says.

Source: panarmenian.net

Short Grounding: Armavia stages delay, aviation department steps in

Armavia, Armenia’s “national carrier” airline, went on a short-lived strike today, in protest of what it called unfair administrative fees at Yerevan’s Zvartnot’s International Airport, while Armenia International Airports company says that Armavia is grounded because of outstanding debts that prohibit it from making flights to Russia.

Armavia launched the strike early this morning, halting three flights (two to Moscow and one to Rostov).

Armenia’s General Department of Civil Aviation and airline representatives called a quick meeting and in less than two hours, Armavia had called off the strike as sides in the dispute agreed to negotiate a settlement in the coming weeks.

By mid-afternoon Tuesday, passengers enroute to Moscow and to Rostov are being boarded for continuation of their delayed flights.

“All flights were cancelled, but as of now we have resumed the works and our further actions will be clear next Tuesday, by the end of the negotiations,” says Armavia Aviation Company’s press secretary Nana Avetisova.

Gevorg Abrahamyan, Spokesman for Armenia International Airports Company has reported earlier that Armavia Company, being a national means of transportation, unlike other aviation companies enjoys the special tariffs defined by Armenia International Airports Company.

“Moreover, according to the telegram received by the Rosnavigation Organization, Armavia Company’s flights to Russia and its entrance to the air territory of Russia are banned due to its debts. Most probably the tariffs not only in Armenia but also in Russia are too high for the aviation company,” Abrahamyan says adding that the flights carried out by other companies are not halted and are uninterrupted.

Armavia Company carries out about 500 flights monthly, and their number reaches 700 monthly in summer.

Source: armenianow.com

Striking Armenian airline company refuses to accept tickets back

Those passengers, who were to use Armavia Airline Company’s services from Armenian capital Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport on Tuesday morning, are unable to leave the Airport, and they have not even been registered.   
They told Armenian News-NEWS.am that the Airport staff informed them that Armavia is not conducting flights because of the Airport’s raising of the prices. And they did not announce as to when Armavia’s flights will resume.   
And with respect to Armavia Press Secretary Nana Avetisova’s announcement that the waiting passengers will receive food and water, the passengers collectively noted that they had not received anything.  
At present, Zvartnots and Armavia representatives are conducting talks. 
According to preliminary data, three Armavia flights are postponed so far.
Also, the Armavia office is refusing to accept back the passengers’ tickets and is advising them to return the tickets to the tourism agencies.    
In her turn, Armavia Airline Company’s Press Secretary Nana Avetisova informed that they have a problem solely with Zvartnots, and not with the Russian companies. 
And after the uproar which the news reporters raised, Nana Avetisova informed that they have ordered water and food for the waiting passengers.
To note, Armavia Airline Company’s Press Secretary Nana Avetisova had told Armenian News-NEWS.am that the Company declared a strike. She also informed that the strike will continue unless Zvartnots Airport changed its price policy. And the “Armenia” International Airports Company released a statement in response to the strike which the Armavia Airline Company announced on Tuesday morning. “The Armavia Airline Company today halted its service to the Yerevan-Moscow and Yerevan-Rostov flights, and announced to the passengers that the service is halted because of the [Armenian capital Yerevan’s Zvartnots International] Airport’s high prices. Being the national carrier, Armavia Company benefits from our company’s special prices. Furthermore, [and] because of the accumulated debts, Armavia Company is prohibited to carry out flights toward Russia and enter Russian air space. Our company negatively assesses Armavia Airline Company’s inappropriate exploitation and [its] unfounded and false comments, and regrets that solely the national carrier has found itself in such situation,” the “Armenia” International Airports Company’s statement specifically read.

Source: http://news.am