NovAir has relaunched flights between Yerevan and the town of Kapan in Syunik following a temporary suspension due to maintenance of its L-410 Turbolet, currently the only aircraft in its fleet.

Armenpress spoke with NovAir CEO Karen Vardanyan, who also serves as the director of Syunik Airport in Kapan.

Syunik Airport is currently designated as a domestic airport. Following a recently approved investment program, the airport could begin serving international flights. If implemented, Syunik Airport would become Armenia’s third international airport, after Yerevan’s Zvartnots and Gyumri’s Shirak airports.

Asked to comment on the process, Vardanyan said that work is ongoing but did not provide further details.

Speaking about his airline’s flights, Vardanyan emphasized that in September 2025, when the company’s only aircraft reached 10 years of operation, it was transferred to Brno, Czech Republic, under a technical maintenance program, where it underwent full servicing. After the work was completed, the aircraft returned to Armenia on March 24 this year, and flights resumed shortly thereafter.

“Since September 3, 2025, flights had been suspended solely for technical safety reasons,” Vardanyan said.

He emphasized that NovAir complies with all necessary standards and requirements. Flights are carried out according to the approved schedule, fully adhering to international safety and technical maintenance standards.

“The program has been gradually expanded due to growing demand. In 2023, it was launched with two flights per week, then increased to three, and since April 2024 it has been operating five days a week—Monday through Friday. The flight departs from Yerevan at 10:00, and the return flight from Kapan is at 12:00. Ticket pricing follows a social approach. Despite the significantly higher actual cost, the one-way ticket price has not changed and remains 20,000 drams.

“Thus, the Kapan–Yerevan flight program, having overcome the temporary suspension, continues to operate, with the aim of expanding opportunities in the near future,” Vardanyan stated.

Addressing whether NovAir plans to acquire a second aircraft to avoid suspending flights during maintenance periods, Vardanyan said:

“Financial constraints do not currently allow for large-scale expansion of the program. At present, the airline does not have the capacity to acquire a second aircraft, but this issue could be reconsidered if state subsidies are provided,” he noted.

Speaking about the possibility of launching new routes from Kapan Airport, particularly flights to Gyumri, Vardanyan said it would depend on demand:

“The launch of new destinations depends on demand. For example, the possibility of a Kapan–Gyumri flight can be considered if there is sufficient demand,” he said.

The issue of granting Syunik Airport international status has previously been discussed at a Cabinet meeting.

Asked to comment, Vardanyan did not elaborate but said that “steps are being taken” to designate Syunik Airport as an international airport.

Armenpress also requested comment from Sona Harutyunyan, press secretary of Armenia’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure. She said the issue of granting Syunik Airport international status is on the government’s agenda, without further elaboration.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk has said there are no “objective reasons” to sell the management rights of Armenian railways—currently held by Russia—to another country.

“It is obvious to us that there is no objective reason for selling the concession agreement of the South Caucasian Railways to a third country,” Overchuk told TASS news agency.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan previously called for an end to Russian management of Armenia’s railway network, which operates under a concession agreement. He specifically stated that, in the context of current regional connectivity development projects, it would be preferable for another country—particularly one with friendly ties to both Armenia and Russia—to take over management. He argued that some countries might choose not to make shipments through Armenia due to Russian management of the railway system, thereby reducing Armenia’s competitiveness.

Earlier in March, reports emerged about ongoing talks regarding a potential Kazakh takeover of the management rights. However, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, at a press briefing on April 1, said that Russia is not negotiating on the matter with either Armenia or Kazakhstan.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk emphasized the fundamental principle of consensus in decision-making within the Eurasian Economic Union and said that, therefore, no decision contradicting the interests of member state Armenia can be made.

“In our common economic integration union, decision-making operates on the principle of consensus. Armenia’s voice is equal to that of Russia and the other member states, regardless of the size of its economy or territory. Within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union, no decision will be made if it does not align with Armenia’s interests,” Overchuk told the TASS news agency.

He also stressed that Russia does not obstruct Armenia from seeking new partners and expanding its external markets, including in the United States and the European Union.

“We ourselves propose to continue working and developing together, and for this, it is necessary for our businesses to be able to operate there, just as Armenian businesses should be able to operate here. We have also been told that the presence of Russian businesses is an obstacle to Armenia realizing its competitive advantages. At the same time, Russia has opened its market to Armenian goods, services, capital, and labor. The figures show the closeness of our countries and peoples,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Overchuk added that the foundation of building international relations is based on the principles of reciprocity and equality.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attended the opening of an exhibition showcasing a unique specimen of medieval Armenian woodcraft—a wooden door leaf from an Armenian church dating back to 1188, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a readout.

The artifact, considered an exceptional example of historical and cultural value, was acquired from the Sam Fogg gallery in London. The acquisition was carried out by a government decision within the framework of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports’ state program aimed at acquiring and repatriating cultural values.

A total of 175.36 million drams was allocated from the state budget reserve fund to the Cultural Development Fund for the purchase and transportation of the artifact, which had been put up for sale at an international auction.

Carved from oriental walnut, the piece dates back to the Bagratuni period and represents an outstanding example of medieval Christian art. Its iconography combines biblical and royal themes.

The central composition depicts the biblical scene of Daniel among the lions, while the lower sections illustrate various animal fighting scenes associated with the symbolism of Daniel’s vision. The composition also features a “winged” type of cross adorned with floral motifs symbolizing fruitfulness, reflecting the concept of the tree of life in Armenian church art.

The exhibition will open to the public at the History Museum of Armenia on April 3.

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ruben Rubinyan held a meeting with the Ambassador of Cyprus to Armenia, Michael Mavros.

According to a readout issued by the parliament’s press service, the meeting focused on Armenia-Cyprus cooperation.

The Deputy Speaker and the Cypriot Ambassador also exchanged views on regional developments.

Armenia plans to introduce a reverse mortgage mechanism that will allow pensioners to mortgage their real estate to a bank while retaining ownership and the right to reside in the property, in exchange for receiving monthly payments.

Chairman of the Cadastre Committee Suren Tovmasyan presented the relevant bill at the Cabinet meeting.

“Over the course of our lives, perhaps the most valuable asset we acquire is real estate, obtained through work and income—via mortgage agreements, direct purchases, inheritance, and other means. After years of payments, we obtain ownership rights, but upon reaching retirement age, we face challenges in generating income and ensuring our well-being based on the capital accumulated in the form of real estate.

“In our case, this asset is viewed more as a consumption good. People live in their property but cannot generate income from it while retaining ownership and usage rights. Developed countries have introduced mechanisms to address this issue. With the adoption of this legislative package, property owners, after retirement, will be able to negotiate with a bank—under clearly defined legal conditions—to transfer their property under a reverse mortgage and, while retaining ownership and residency rights, receive income,” Tovmasyan explained.

According to him, after transferring the property to a bank under a reverse mortgage agreement, the homeowner will receive a fixed monthly non-cash payment, which, combined with their pension, will serve as additional income to improve their standard of living. During this period, the pensioner will have no obligation to make repayments to the bank.

Subsequently, the legal heir of the property will have the option to sign an agreement with the bank and reclaim the property by repaying the required amount. If no such claim is made, the bank will be entitled to register its ownership rights and sell the property at auction. If the proceeds from the sale exceed the amount paid by the bank to the pensioner, the difference will be transferred to the heirs.

The Metsamor nuclear power plant has been taken out of operation from April 1 for a five-month period for planned maintenance amid the process of extending its operational lifespan, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Davit Khudatyan said on Thursday.

Speaking at the Cabinet meeting, Khudatyan also highlighted the strong growth in solar power production.

“Most likely, in 2026, the electricity produced by our solar power plants will be comparable to what the Metsamor nuclear power plant would have generated if it were operating. These figures will definitely be comparable,” the minister said.

Mesrop Mesropyan, Chairman of the Public Services Regulatory Commission, likewise pointed to the rapid growth in solar power installations.

The operational lifespan of Armenia’s nuclear power plant will expire in the fall of 2026. Work is currently underway to extend the plant’s operational period by another 10 years. During this time, the Armenian government is discussing the construction of a new nuclear power plant with various countries. It has been decided that the new plant should be of a modular type, and negotiations on its construction are ongoing with the United States, France, China, Russia, and South Korea.

Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Davit Khudatyan met with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to Armenia David Allen.

“I highly appreciated the United States’ contribution to maintaining peace in the region,” the minister said on social media.

“During the meeting, we discussed issues related to the energy and transport sectors. We also specifically addressed renewable energy and its legislative framework, as well as the mining sector,” he added.

David Allen expressed his willingness to work closely with the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure to implement the programs outlined on the current agenda and to expand cooperation.

An agreement was reached to continue effective collaboration in the designated areas.

YEREVAN, 2 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 2 April, USD exchange rate down by 0.27 drams to 376.96 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 3.59 drams to 433.96 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.0158 drams to 4.6804 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 4.62 drams to 497.1 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 1544 drams to 57435 drams. Silver price up by 25.85 drams to 907.39 drams.

The Russian state agricultural watchdog has announced heightened control over Armenian imports.

Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision (Rosselkhoznadzor) Director Sergey Dankvert said in a Russian public broadcast interview that Armenia allegedly does not fully comply with Eurasian Economic Union requirements regarding simplified imports from non-EEU countries, specifically from the EU.

The official claimed that the volume and variety of goods supplied from Armenia raise doubts about their “actual origin.”

“For example, Armenia has increased its flower exports from 36 million to over 100 million pieces in three years. Similar growth is observed in many other products as well,” Dankvert said.

According to him, due to these circumstances, the Russian side has moved phytosanitary control closer to the border.

Dankvert also claimed that more than 900 quarantine detections have been recorded in Armenian goods, requiring additional disinfection measures.

Referring to animal-origin products, he alleged that in some cases the declared origin of the goods may not correspond to reality.

“As an example, we can mention butter, cheese, and trout. Trout from Armenia’s mountain rivers cannot be similar to Norwegian trout,” the Russian official said.

This article will be updated with responses from the relevant Armenian government agencies.