HENCEFORTH ARMENIAN AIRLINES HAVE TO INSURE THEIR PASSENGERS

Noyan Tapan
Apr 06 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 6, NOYAN TAPAN. Staring from April 7, the amendments
to the RA Law on Aviation will take effect, according to which
the airlines operating in Armenia have to insure their passengers,
which will not affect ticket prices. Head of the RA Civil Aviation
Main Department Artyom Movsesian stated this at the April 6 press
conference. According to him, the above mentioned amendments also
solved the problem of passenger rights protection. Particularly,
in case of a flight delay for two hours, the airline must provide
passengers with food, in case of over 4 hours’ delay, passengers must
be provided with communication means, and in case of over 8 hours’
delay, they must be provided with accomodation.

A. Movsesian said that there have been numerous cases when passengers
had no place in their plane, which is mainly due to lack of control
over activities of airlines. In the words of the department head, this
problem has been solved as well: henceforth the RA Civil Aviation Main
Department will consider as legal the operation of an agent which is
a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The
work of other air agents will be examined by the department, after
which a license will be granted.

A. Movsesian noted that as a result of amendments to the RA Law on
Administrative Infringements, the amount of fines have been increased
for violation of rules of passport and facility control, as well
as rules of specially protected zone entry: henceforth a fine in
the amount of 50-1,000 minimal salaries (1 mln drams or about 2.7
thousand dollars) will be imposed instead of the previous fine of
10-30% of salary.

The fine for using radiotechnical devices by passengers of the plane
have also been increased. The Civil Aviation Main Department will
fine passengers for smoking in the plane immediately after the landing.

A. Movsesian said that from now on airlines will not pay 10 mln drams
for operation of non-regular flights, which will facilitate their
entrance into the Armenian market.

The speaker noted that 12 airlines have the right to operate planes in
Armenia. In general, over 20 airlines operate in the Armenian market.