Armavia aircompany improves position in major Armenian taxpayers’ list

Armenian International Airports came 16th in the list of 1000 major Armenian taxpayers, having paid AMD 2,8 billion to state budget.

Based on the results of the third quarter of 2010, Armavia aircompany showed improvement, appearing in the 67th position against 128th in 2009.
Mika Corporation CJSC retained its position still occupying the 14th place in the list, with AMD 3 billion budget payment, State Revenue Committee reported.

Source: panarmenian.net

Armavia to start operating flights to two new destinations in Ukraine

Armavia, Armenian National Air Company, starts operating direct flights to Ukrainian cities of Dnepropetrovsk and Donetsk, Nana Avetisova, press secretary of the company, said on Wednesday.

“Flights to Dnepropetrovsk will be launched on October 31 and operated every Sunday, and to Donetsk on November 5 in Fridays,” she said.

Now Armavia operates flight to other Ukrainian cities – Kiev, Simferopol, Odessa, Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk and Donetsk.

Armavia operates more than 100 flights a week to 25 destinations in 20 countries.

The air company transported 700,000 passengers in 2009.

The company has nine aircrafts.

Source: arka.am

Nagorno-Karabakh To Reopen Airport

STEPANAKERT -- Authorities in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh are pressing ahead with plans to reopen the disputed territory's sole civilian airport, which was shut down nearly two decades ago.

Flights to and from the airport, located 8 kilometers east of Stepanakert, had been discontinued in 1991 amid intensifying armed clashes in and around Karabakh, which degenerated into a full-scale Armenian-Azerbaijani war.

Transport and communication between the territory and the outside world have since been carried out only by land, through Armenia.

The Karabakh government decided last year to reopen the airport, which was severely damaged during the 1991-92 war, and raised about 1 billion drams ($2.8 million) for its reconstruction from unspecified "charitable sources." It began building a new airport terminal and repairing the runway shortly afterward.

Karabakh officials said earlier this year that a flight service between Stepanakert and Yerevan could be launched in mid-October.

Bako Sahakian, the president of the unrecognized republic, made clear that this would not happen before the end of this year when he inspected the facility, which is still under construction, on October 5.

According to Karabakh's urban development minister, Karen Shahramanian, work on the terminal building will be completed in November. He told RFE/RL's Armenian Service that air navigation equipment was now being installed at the airport.

It is expected that Karabakh, at least in the near future, will have a regular flight service only with Armenia. Its unresolved status makes direct air communication with other countries all but impossible.

It is not yet clear whether the Stepanakert-Yerevan flights will be carried out by Armenia's national airline Armavia. Officials have said only that a one-way air ticket to the Armenian capital will cost 16,000 drams ($45).

By comparison, the current fare for a minibus trip from Stepanakert to Yerevan, which takes between six and seven hours, is 5,000 drams per person.

A random street poll of Stepanakert residents conducted by RFE/RL suggested that many locals will be willing to pay a higher price for much shorter and more convenient travel.

"We won't be tired of long trips," said one man. "It should be interesting," noted another.

Source:  rferl.org

Armavia to increase number of flights to Moscow from October 10

Armavia air company increases the number of flights to Moscow, bringing them to 6 flights a day.
According to the company’s press service, Armavia will launch Yerevan-Moscow (Domodedovo)-Yerevan regular flights from October 10, 2010.
Thus, the air company will be implementing three flights per day to Domodedovo airport and three flights per day to Vnukovo airport from October 10.

Source: panarmenian.net 

Armavia launches Yerevan-Birmingham-Yerevan flight

Armavia national carrier presented its new Yerevan-Birmingham-Yerevan flight on September 28.
“This flight is meant to connect Europe with Asia and Middle East,” Armavia Director General Norayr Belluyan said.
“The flight will allow passengers from India to travel to Birmingham, where numerous Indian diaspora lives. Besides, it will help Armenia develop relations with one of UK industrial centers,” he added.
This year, Armavia launched flights to Delhi, Tel Aviv, Tehran and Barcelona. Yerevan-Beijing-Yerevan flight is expected in the near future.

Source: panarmenian.net

Mikhail Baghdasarov not going to sell Armavia shares

Mikhail Baghdasarov, the President of Armavia national carrier, is not going to sell the company shares, Armavia spokesperson Nana Avetisova said.
“Mikhail Baghdasarov has officially refuted media reports on sale of shares,” Avetisova told a panarmenian.net reporter.

Source: panarmenian.net

Armavia repays debts to Armenia International Airports

Debt of Armavia company to Armenia International Airports is constantly changing because of daily debt repayments, Sahak Hakobyan, head of the staff of General Department of Civil Aviation at the Armenian government said at a press conference.
Hakobyan noted that the aviation department is not authorized to interfere with relations of two companies. “We follow technical regulation and fights’ security, the rest lies in economic ties between the entities. Though, we have information on the developments,” he said.
Due to the mentioned debt, Armenia International Airports company suspended flights from Zvartnots Airport on September 16.The same day the flights resumed.

Source: news.am

Armavia’s debt is increasing

On September 29, on the eve of Civil Aviation Day, head of the General Department of the Civil Aviation Sahak Hakobyan and Adviser to the Director General Grigor Nazaryan briefed Armenian reporters on the achievements in the sphere.
Asked whether the owner of Armenian national air carrier - Armavia, Mikhail Baghdasarov, intends to sell his shares, Sahak Hakobyan said, "We have learnt about Mr. Baghdasarov's intention from the press. It is up to him to decide. The state cannot force an owner to sell or keep his shares. The Law on Aviation envisages that at least 51% of an aviation company belongs to legal entities registered in Armenia," he said.
Recently, Zvartnots airport suspended all flights of Armavia national carrier due to heavy debts.
"The Civil Aviation deals with aviation and security issues. We try to avoid similar problems, as they are unpleasant for us. The issue is beyond our competence and we are hopeful that the parties [Zvartnots and Armavia] will find a common language. State agencies are not empowered to interfere into a conflict between two entities" Hakobyan said.
The aviation representatives say Armavia's debt is changing every hour connected with everyday production process.

Source: a1plus.am

New terminal to open in Zvartnots Airport in 2011

The civil aviation in Armenia is dynamically developing, according to Sahak Hakobyan, head of the General Department of the Civil Aviation.

“Air transportation volumes increased 10% over the past 8 months. As of September 22, passenger flows increased 13.5% compared with the same period in 2009,” Hakobyan told reporters in Yerevan.
He also informed that a new terminal meeting all international standards will open in Zvartnots Airport in 2011.
Asked to comment on the Airport’s recent ban on Armavia national carrier’s flights, Hakobyan said state agencies are not empowered to interfere into a conflict between two entities.

Source: panarmenian.net

Birmingham airport launches Armavia Airlines flights to Armenia

Birmingham Airport has become only the second in the country to operate flights to the former Soviet republic of Armenia.
The new service was launched on Tuesday when an Airbus A319 of Armavia Airlines touched down at Birmingham from the Armenian capital Yerevan.
The airline will now operate flights to Yerevan and on to Delhi every Tuesday, departing Birmingham at 06.55.
It hopes to attract passengers wanting to reach both Armenia and India to visit friends and relatives. The Airbus will have eight business class seats and 126 economy seats.

Illarion Gharibyan, deputy director general, for the  airline said: “There are 20,000 people in the UK of Armenian descent and people can currently only access flights to Armenia from Heathrow so the Birmingham operation will provide more choice for those wanting to reach Yerevan.
“Birmingham is at a very important phase of its development and we are very excited to be joining the Birmingham team at this time.”
Paul Kehoe, the airport’s chief executive officer, said: “Not only will Armavia Airlines offer people a brand new service to Armenia, it will provide another welcome connection to India, which will be of particular interest to the 200,000 Indian people living in the Midlands.”
Round trip fares to Yerevan start from £325 excluding taxes and to Delhi from £205.

Source: birminghampost.net

Armenia’s passenger traffic 1.212m

Armenia’s passenger traffic has reached 1.212m people this year – a 13% increase as compared with the corresponding period last year, Sahak Hakobyan, Head of the staff, Civil Aviation Department, RA Government, told a news conference.
The crisis did not seriously affect the passenger traffic in Armenia. Other countries registered a 2.5% decrease. Hakobyan believes the Armenian air carriers registered an increase in the number of passengers due to their scheduled fights to ensure regular incomes. As regards cargo transportation, he pointed out that a three-fold increase has been registered since last year.
The RA Statistical Service reports Armenia’s air traffic totaled 8.4 thousand tons last year, with exports totaling 3.2 thousand tons, and imports 5.2 thousand tons. Last year, Armenia’s air passenger traffic reached 1.469m, with 702,000 passengers served by the Armenian airlines.

Source: news.am

Domodedovo airport highly appreciates cooperation with Armenian national air company

 Domodedovo, one of the biggest airports in Russia and Eastern Europe, describes cooperation with Armavia, Armenian national air company, as strategic, Yelena Galanova, press secretary of the Russian airport, said on Monday.

“Our partnership began in 2002,” she said. “Eight years is a quite long term to estimate our cooperation. Some 14 flights are operated from Moscow to Yerevan and back every week – two flights a day.”

Galanova said that 48% of Moscow-Yerevan flights are operated from Domodedovo Airport.

“Armavia Air Company’s passenger flow was 170,000 passengers in 2009, and 200,000 people have been transported since the beginning of this year,” she said adding that 100,700 people were transported over eight months of this year against the 95,300 passengers at the same period a year earlier.

Galanova said that Domodedovo has developed route network consisting of 234 destinations.
This is very important for Armavia and other air companies’ passengers, since they can fly to any country from Domodedovo Airport.

The Domodedovo is the leading passenger transporter among Russian airports. Its share in Moscow aviation hub’s passenger flow is 46%.

In 2009 Domodedovo handled 18.7 million passengers, and according to some forecasts, the figure may rise to 22.3 million this year.

In Jan-Aug 2010, the passenger flow reached 14.7 million exceeding the result of the same period of the previous year by 22.4%.

Some 75 air companies operate flights from Domodedovo.

Of them, 47 are foreign companies (12 from the Commonwealth of Independent States) and 28 are Russian.
Armavia Air Company was established in 1996.

In 2005, Mikhail Bagdasarovm the company president, became the owner of the full package of the company’s shares.
Armavia operates over 102 flights to 35 destinations in 20 countries every week.

The company flew 700,000 passengers in 2009.

It possesses nine aircrafts - А320-3, А319-3, CRJ-200, Yak-42-VIP).

Serzh Sargsyan awards two Armavia pilots on occasion of Armenia’s Independence Day

On the occasion of the 19th anniversary of Armenia’s independence, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan signed a decree on awarding aircraft commander of Armavia national carrier Samvel Apikyan with a medal for the displayed professionalism in emergency situations and second pilot Araz Arazyan with Anania Shirakatsi medal.
The Armenian President also bestowed Anania Shirakatsi medal on a number of employees in the field of territorial administration.
Besides, he signed a decree on awarding scientific and educational workers with medals of the Republic of Armenia, the presidential press service reported.

Source: panarmenian.net

Yerevan Flights Delayed Over Airline Debts

Armenia’s national airline, Armavia, was forced to briefly delay three flights from Yerevan on Thursday because of its outstanding debts to the Zvartnots international airport.

Armavia planes bound for Russia and Israel were allowed to take off more than hour after their scheduled departure time as the company began urgent crisis talks with the airport administration.

“We had to take such a step because Armavia has accumulated big debts,” Zvartnots spokesman Gevorg Abrahamian told RFE/RL’s Armenian service. “Right now, the issue is being settled. All flights are being handled as normal. We hope to avoid such problems in the future.”

Abrahamian said later in the day that the two sides have worked out a timetable for the repayment of the debts incurred by Armavia. “This debt will be repaid very soon,” confirmed Nana Avetisova, an Armavia spokeswoman.

Both officials refused to disclose the sum owed by the private carrier to Zvartnots’s Argentinean operator, Corporacion America. Avetisova linked Armavia’s failure to pay for airport ground services on time with last year’s global recession which did not keep the company from purchasing new aircraft.

“This is normal for airlines around the world,” she told RFE/RL. “Yet in our country there is so much fuss that you feel like it’s the end of the world. We are a small airline located in a small country, and having such a debt is not something extraordinary.”

Owned by Russian-Armenian businessman Mikhail Bagdasarov, Armavia currently flies to about 30 destinations in Europe, the former Soviet Union and the Middle East. It became Armenia’s leading carrier in 2004 following the bankruptcy of the state-run Armenian Airlines.

Source: azatutyun.am

Armavia’s flights suspended

The Yerevan International Airport Zvartnots has suspended flights of the national-carrier Armavia company due to increased debts, a spokesperson to the airport Gevork Abramian told media.
“Due to increased and long-dated debts of Armavia, its flights have been suspended. We’ve sent the notification to company’s management in advance,” said spokesman.
“Yes, the company like all other airlines of the world has debts,” told Interfax a spokeswoman to Armavia, Nana Avetisova, denying determining the sum of debts and any other details.

Source: aysor.am

Zvartnots suspends Armavia flights over debts

The flights of Armavia national carrier were suspended on September 16 morning over debts to Zvartnots airport, Armavia spokesperson Nana Avetisova told a panarmenian.net reporter.
Zvartnots PR officer Gevorg Abrahamyan said that the airport management had to suspend the flights due to heavy debts. However, to avoid a conflict and cause no harm to passengers it was decided to permit the flights later.
“Negotiations with the air company are under way and the debt should be paid off in the near future,” he said.

Source: panarmenian.net

Armavia suspends flights due to debts

September 16, the Armavia Aircompany suspended flights in several directions, including the capital of Russia-Moscow.  news.am received calls from the passengers of the delayed flights.
A source at the Zvartnots International Airport told news.am, the flights were suspended due to debts of the aircompany.
The Armavia head office was not available to comment.

Source: news.am

Armavia cuts number of regular flights from Yerevan to Rome, Berlin and Amsterdam

Armavia air company has cut the number of regular flights from Yerevan to Rome, Berlin and Amsterdam for the period of Summer 2010 schedule.

Yerevan-Rome-Yerevan flight will be conducted only on Sundays (previously - three flights a week) from September 26, while Yerevan-Berlin-Yerevan flight – on Fridays (previously – two flights a week) from September 17, the air company’s press service reported.
Besides, Yerevan-Amsterdam-Yerevan flight will be conducted on Sundays (previously – two flights a week) from September 19.

Source: panarmenian.net

Armavia Cancels a Summer Flight to Batumi and Two to Moscow

Armenia’s national carrier Armavia said it had cancelled a direct flight from Armenian capital Yerevan to Batumi, Georgia and two to Moscow, Russia.

The flights were introduced for summer season to handle the growing number of Armenians traveling to Batumi, a popular Black Sea tourist destination for thousands of Armenian holidaymakers and Russia’s capital. Armavia said these flights will not be resumed for winter months.

Armavia was established in 1996. In 2005 its all shares were purchased by Mika Ltd of Mikhail Baghdasarov. The company operates 102 flights a week to 35 destinations in 20 countries. In 2009 it flew 700,000 passengers.

The company’s fleet comprises 9 aircrafts- А320-3, А319-3, CRJ-200, ЯК-42-VIP.

Source: arka.am

Israel, Russia, Ukraine and Armenia to form airline alliance

El Al (Israel), UTair (Russia), Aerosvit Airlines (Ukraine) and Armavia (Armenia) have signed a declaration on formation of an airline alliance to be named Western-Eastern (WE).
The alliance was initiated by El Al, whose joining the existing alliances has always been prevented by different Arab airlines. Negotiations on expansion are under way with CIS and Western European countries.

Source: panarmenian.net

Armavia to launch Munich service in Nov 2010

As per 13AUG10 GDS timetable display, Armavia from 02NOV10 is introducing 2 weekly Yerevan – Munich service, operated by Airbus A319. Schedule below:

U8109 EVN0950 – 1055MUC 319 25
U8110 MUC1240 – 1930EVN 319 25

Source: http://airlineroute.net/2010/08/13/u8-evnmuc-w10/#more-23731

Armavia not to fine passengers for returning tickets

To date all the Armavia Yerevan-Moscow flights have been operated despite smoke from wildfires hanging over the Russian capital, Armavia Company Director General Norayr Beluyan told news.am.
“Our planes have not made any emergency landing in other Russian cities,” he stressed. As to Yerevan-Moscow flight delays, they are reasoned by queues for landing in the Moscow airports, he stressed.
Under the mentioned circumstances, the Armavia air company decided not to fine the passenger for returning  tickets or changing the date, he added.

Source: news.am

Ashot Galoyan: Armavia’s new flight to facilitate Armenian-Polish relations

Armenian Ambassador to Poland Ashot Galoyan said that the new Yerevan-Warsaw-Yerevan flight launched by Armavia Air Company on July 3 will significantly facilitate relations between the two countries. “The visit of Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski to Armenia is scheduled for July 13, Galoyan told journalists at the international airport of Warsaw. “Besides, the first sitting of the Armenian-Polish intergovernmental commission will open in Yerevan on the same day,” he added.
"We have completed the essential procedure, including signature of an economic agreement between Armenia and Poland. There are legislative, political, historical and cultural prerequisites for the development of our relations," Galoyan stressed, adding that the new flight will help boost bilateral relations in all fields, including tourism.

Source: panarmenian.net

Sheremetyevo solves transportation problem

Sheremetyevo airport seems to have solved the problem of transportation collapse, caused by road works begun on Leningradskoye highway. A free shuttle transfer has been organized for the passengers, departing from the 1 (B) and C Terminals and arriving to Terminal B. They are transported there from the E terminal, which is situated next to the Aeroexpress station.

Aeroexpress is for a moment the only one responsible way to get to the airport without coming too late. It arrives to the station, which is situated next to Terminal E, but rather distant from other terminals. The transfer is organized for the passengers of such air carriers as Avia Nova, Belavia, Aersvit, Dniproavia, Nordwind Airlines, Armavia, some international charter flights, flying from the Terminals 1 (B) and C.

To get to the transfer shuttles, the passenger should walk through the Terminal E buiding following the orange signs “Shuttles to Terminals B and C”. However, the transfer back is availiable from the Terminal B only.

Source: russia-ic.com

Armavia launches direct flight from Yerevan to Barcelona

Armenia’s national air carrier ArmAvia launched a new direct flight from Armenian capital Yerevan to Barcelona, Spain.

During the presentation ceremony Armavia CEO Norayr Belluyan said the direct flight will allow tourists from both countries to visit each other’s country to enjoy the sites of Yerevan and Barcelona.

The flight is operated once a week every Sunday. Spanish consul in Armenia, Mher Badalian, welcomed first Armenian passenger arriving in Barcelona. He said the new flight is very important for Spain’s 45,000 strong Armenian community as well as for businessmen.

Source: arka.am

Armavia launches direct flight to Barcelona

On June 20, Barcelona International Airport hosted official launching of Yerevan-Barcelona-Yerevan direct flight of Armavia national carrier.
Armenia's Consul to Spain Mher Badalyan said that previously people had to take charter flights to get to Barcelona from Yerevan via other European cities, but from now on Armavia offers new opportunities. "It will definitely contribute to the development of economic ties between Armenia and Spain," he said.
For his part, Armavia CEO Norayr Belluyan added that the company is consistently implementing its plans and Yerevan-Barcelona-Yerevan flight is among three flights to be launched by Armavia this year.
Commenting on the company's plans, Belluyan said that Yerevan-Warsaw, Yerevan-New York flights will be launched soon. "They will help creation of a transport route between Europe and Asia via Yerevan," he said.

Source: panarmenian.net

Linking Arkhangelsk with Caucasus

Armenian airlines will start flights between Yerevan and Arkhangelsk.

The Armavia flight will be the second international flight to Arkhangelsk starting this year. From the beginning of May, airBaltic starts to operate the route Riga-Arkhangelsk twice a week.
Armavia hopes the flight will attract Arkhangelsk residents traveling on vacation Central Asia and the Middle East. The Armavia delegation that visited Arkhangelsk last week met with several of the local and regional tour operators, according to a press-release posted on the airliners website.
Armavia has flights to 30 destinations in 13 countries. The flight to Arkhangelsk will be operated by a Airbus A319 or A320.

Source: barentsobserver.com

The company “Armavia” opened its new flight Yerevan-Archangelsk-Yerevan

YEREVAN, May 31. /ARKA/. Official opening ceremony of new flight of “Armavia” Yerevan-Archangelsk-Yerevan took place on Sunday in the International Airport of Archangelsk, Nana Avetisova, press-secretary of “Armavia” informs.

“Arrival of Armenian delegation to Archangelsk is not only opening of new flight but new air bridge between Armenia and Russia”, said Oleg Yesayan, Armenian Ambassador in Russia.

Opening of new flight will strengthen economic and cultural relations between two countries. Dmitriy Medvedev, President of Russia and Serzh Sargsyan, President of Armenia pay special attention to regional development and cooperation.

Yesayan said that Armenia is of special interest for Archangelsk region also in tourism sphere as Armenia is a country of tourism which attracts attention of thousands of tourists.

Mikhail Baghdasarov, Director of “Armavia” said that Yerevan becomes a transit country connecting South to East and East to West.

“For the beginning there will be one flight in two weeks and in future – two times in a week. We need time for the establishment of relations and development of marketing policy”, he said.

Geographical position of Yerevan allows to transport the passengers from Archangelsk to Yerevan and from Yerevan – to Dubay, Deli, Antalia, Tunis, Sharm el-Sheikh and other southern countries where they can have a rest.

Transit flight of Air Company is through Tbilisi to Russia. Recently opened flight to Deli will become transit to West.
Ernest Belokorovin, Minister of Industry, Transport and Communications of Archangelsk region said that the new airline can join Armenia with UAE in future.

After the ceremony, official meeting of Archangelsk region Governor Ilya Mikhalchuk and Oleg Yesayan, Armenian Ambassador in Russia took place where high officials of both countries were present.
Source: arka.am

Arkhangelsk grabs airspace

Today Armenian airlines announced a new air route that will connect Armenia and Arkhangelsk. To start with, there will be one flight per two weeks, though in future the route will reach two flights per week, said Mikhail Baghdasarov, Director of Armavia in the company’s press release.
May 25, a Russian low cost carrier Avianova opened flights Arkhangelsk – Moscow (Sheremetyevo). Earlier, the company serviced Arkhangelsk to St.Petersburg only. New flights of Avianova, Arkhangelsk-Moscow, will be carried out twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
July 3, Arkhangelsk will get a direct air connection with Europe by Airbaltic; flights Arkhangelsk – Riga will be scheduled twice a week (Tuesday, Sunday).
In the 90s, Arkhangelsk had already attempted to establish regular air connection with Europe: the city opened regular air routes for direct travel to Rovaniemi and Stockholm, yet they turned economically inefficient and were closed.
The most viable European route has been regularly connecting Arkhangelsk with Tromso via Murmansk since early 90s.
Charter flights operate till Rovaniemi and Levi.
In summer vacation period, Arkhangelsk opens more charter connection with Egypt, Turkey, Greece, and Spain.


Source: barentsnova.com  

Airline company “Armavia’ presented a gift to its 200th passenger

Yesterday national airline company “Armavia” presented a valuable gift to its 200th passenger since 2010.

“A gift from the airline company TV-set LCD received Sofia Elchey, representative of one of international organizations who arrived to Yerevan from Tbilisi for participation in the seminar of statistics.

She thanked the airline company “Armavia” for warm attitude and attention saying that it is the first time she had success.
“It is very pleasant to have such a surprise being in a business trip. After Yerevan we depart to Kiev and other NIS countries. We have a large Armenian community in Budapest. I know Armenians and respect them”, she said.

Acting Commercial Director of the company Anna Atoyan emphasized the importance of such an action which became a tradition for the company.

Atoyan said that from July regular flights will be implemented to Barcelona, Warsaw and Tehran.

Airline Company “Armavia” was established in 1996. From July 2005 the full package of shares went to Mikhail Baghdasarov, president of the company “Mika Limited”. In 2009 more than 700 thousand passengers were transported by “Armavia”. Currently “Armavia” consists of 9 planes (А320-3, А319-3, CRJ-200, YAK-42-VIP).

Source: arka.am